False Claims About Laotian Military Deployment
In December 2025, as border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia intensified, social media posts began sharing a video with Chinese text stating: "Laos is sending troops to the Thailand-Cambodia border. Is Laos joining the fight?" The footage shows columns of armed soldiers wearing helmets equipped with GoPro cameras and patches featuring Laos' national flag.
The video emerged following renewed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, both of which share borders with Laos. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, stemming from long-standing territorial disputes along their 800-kilometer boundary and ancient temple ruins in the frontier region.
Similar content was disseminated across multiple platforms including Douyin, YouTube, and X. However, official sources have not reported any involvement by Laos in the neighboring countries' conflict.
Video Actually Shows National Day Preparations
Investigations reveal the footage actually captures Laotian soldiers preparing for their country's National Day parade on December 2. Comments on the original post confirm this context, and the soldiers' uniforms match those worn by participants in the official celebrations.
According to a government press release, Laos marked its 50th anniversary with national ceremonies and a parade in the capital Vientiane. The location shown in the video corresponds to Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue in Vientiane, where authorities had requested public avoidance during National Day preparations.
This represents another instance of misinformation circulating about the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, which has previously required fact-checking interventions.
