As part of the information warfare, the Cambodian government has been accused of placing new PMN-2 landmines along the Cambodian-Thai border. Although Cambodian state agencies claimed that the PMN-2 landmines were remnants from past conflicts, the ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT)—a group of military representatives from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formed to monitor border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia—confirmed that the landmines were newly laid105. This finding was corroborated by independent inspections by Reuters106. The IOT’s confirmation was initially misreported by Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency, which first stated that the landmines were not new, but later corrected the error. Several pro-government media outlets in Cambodia exploited this confusion by selectively reporting on the issue and claiming that the landmines were not newly planted. The pro-government outlet, Khmer Times, for example, reported that the Thai military blamed a “media error,” referring to Bernama’s initial misreport. On November 27, 2025, the government further tightened control over information by issuing a prakas on “Qualifications and Journalistic Professionalism.”107 A prakas is an official proclamation: a ministerial or inter-ministerial decision signed by the relevant minister. Such proclamations must conform to the Constitution and to the law or sub-decree to which they refer. The government also introduced 2026 press card rules that were widely seen as limiting press freedom. According to the pro-government Khmer Times, those seeking a media pass in 2026 must submit a letter of good conduct from local authorities108. Successful applicants are those with no court convictions or legal complaints against them. In October 2025, media outlets also reported that the government plans to resurrect the National Internet Gateway (NIG)109. The plan was first unveiled in 2021 following the adoption of Sub-Decree No. 23 on the Establishment of the National Internet Gateway. Observers believe the NIG was part of Hun Sen’s preparations for the 2023 general election. However, little has been reported about its progress since the law was passed. “ASEAN to Conduct On-Site Probe of Landmine Incident That Derailed Thai-Cambodian Truce, Thailand Says.” Reuters, 14 Nov. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/asean-conduct-on-site-probelandmine-incident-that-derailed-thai-cambodian-truce-2025-11-14. 106. Wongcha-um, Panu, and Devjyot Ghoshal. “Landmines That Sparked Thai-Cambodia Clash Were Likely Newly-Laid, Experts Say.” Reuters, 16 Oct. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/landmines-thatsparked-thai-cambodia-clash-were-likely-newly-laid-experts-say-2025-10-16. 107. “New Regulations for Journalist Tighten Grip on Cambodia’s Media.” CamboJA News, 3 Dec. 2025, cambojanews.com/new-regulations-for-journalists-tighten-grip-on-cambodias-media. 108 Hang, Punreay. “Ministry Opens 2026 Press Card Registration for Journalists.” Khmer Times, 3 Dec. 2025, www.khmertimeskh.com/501799952/ministry-opens-2026-press-card-registration-for-journalists. 109. Kelliher, Fiona. “Cambodia Resurrects Plan for Controversial Internet Gateway.” Nikkei Asia, 20 Oct. 2025, asia.nikkei.com/business/telecommunication/cambodia-resurrects-plan-for-controversial-internetgateway. 105. 29