Recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have reignited tensions, but a widely circulated photo claiming to show Israeli soldiers assisting Thailand is misleading. The image actually depicts Israeli officers in Bangkok, engaged in humanitarian efforts following a devastating earthquake in March 2025.
On December 15, 2025, social media platforms, including TikTok, featured the photo alongside a Khmer-language caption stating that “thousands of Israeli soldiers have arrived to help Thailand in its operations to invade Cambodia.” This post rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 2,800 shares. The timing of the image’s circulation coincided with renewed hostilities that resulted in dozens of casualties and displaced approximately one million people from both nations.
The recent fighting stems from a long-standing border dispute, with a fragile ceasefire established on December 27, 2025, to halt the latest escalation. Tensions surged again on January 6, 2026, when Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire. According to the Royal Thai Army’s deputy spokesperson, Colonel Ritcha Suksuwanon, there has been “no Israeli reinforcement,” contradicting claims made in the social media posts.
The photo in question was previously published in an article by the Jewish News Syndicate on April 9, 2025. It documented an Israeli delegation’s efforts to assist Thai authorities in search and rescue operations following a significant earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The earthquake’s tremors were felt in Thailand, causing the collapse of a high-rise building intended for the State Audit Office in Bangkok.
CNN reported that the earthquake resulted in at least 95 fatalities. The original photo is credited to Lauren DeCicca for Getty Images and shows IDF soldiers at the site of the building collapse on March 31, 2025. DeCicca confirmed to AFP on January 6, 2026, that the image was taken during the aftermath of the earthquake in Bangkok.
Despite the misinformation surrounding the conflict, there have been no verified reports of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) involvement in the recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. The photo’s misrepresentation highlights the challenges of verifying information in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly on social media.
As the situation continues to develop, it is crucial for individuals to critically assess the information they encounter, particularly regarding sensitive international issues.
