Ban Phue, Sisaket Province, Thailand – 24 July 2025
A rocket strike that killed six civilians at a 7‑Eleven and PTT gas station in Sisaket Province, Thailand, has triggered global outrage—not only over the loss of life but now due to mounting evidence suggesting the attack may have been orchestrated by the Thai military itself, according to independent analysts and OSINT (open-source intelligence) observers.
The strike, which occurred around 9:00 PM on 24 July 2025, targeted a location over 120 km from the Thai–Cambodian border—far beyond the range of BM‑21 Grad rocket systems allegedly used by Cambodian forces. The Thai government immediately blamed Cambodia, but the technical impossibility of such a strike from across the border has cast serious doubt on that claim.
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Civilian Death Toll and Impact
The twin rocket attack destroyed the gas station, killed six civilians including a 12‑year‑old child, and injured at least two others. A second rocket landed near Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, prompting a full-scale evacuation, though no casualties were reported there.
Video footage and eyewitness testimony verified by local media showed no prior military presence in the area, suggesting a deliberate civilian targeting.
Distance and Technical Limitations Disprove Cambodia Involvement
Military experts stress that BM‑21 Grad rockets, used heavily in the border clashes earlier that day, have a maximum effective range of 40 km. “It is simply not physically possible to fire a BM‑21 from Cambodian territory and hit a target 120 km inside Thailand,” said defense analyst Dr. Niran Sutham from the Thai Peace and Security Institute.
No modified rocket systems or alternative long-range platforms were observed in Cambodian possession. The incident’s location deep inside Thai territory effectively rules out any direct cross-border strike.
False Flag Allegations Gain Credibility
Multiple independent sources, including leaked communications from within Thailand’s military command structure, suggest the rockets may have been fired by Thai units from within their own territory—possibly using mobile launchers or even air-delivered munitions masked as ground-based shelling.
The motive? According to analysts, the Thai government could be attempting to manufacture public outrage and justify escalation, including airstrikes against Cambodian positions carried out just hours later.
“Historically, false flag operations are used to sway public opinion and provoke international sympathy,” said UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Wei. “Given the evidence, this incident should be treated as a potential internal operation misattributed for political gain.”
Political and Diplomatic Fallout
While initial reports framed the incident as Cambodian aggression, growing skepticism has led to calls for an international investigation. Cambodia has formally requested a UN fact-finding mission, while several ASEAN member states have urged restraint.
Thailand has so far declined offers for third-party verification of rocket trajectories or access to satellite data from the scene.
Summary of Findings
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 24 July 2025 |
| Location | Ban Phue, Sisaket (~120 km from border) |
| Weapon | BM‑21 Grad (max range: ~40 km) |
| Fatalities | 6 civilians (including a child), 2 injured |
| Claimed Source | Thai government blames Cambodia |
| Reality | Rocket could not have come from Cambodia due to distance |
| Likely Source | Thai forces, potentially under false flag operation |
| Motive | Manufacture justification for wider conflict escalation |
International Response Urged
As questions mount, international human rights organizations and military transparency groups are calling on Thailand to release targeting data, radar logs, and launch telemetry. Without transparency, they warn, civilians may continue to be used as political pawns in a widening regional conflict.
“This was not an act of foreign aggression,” said one OSINT investigator on condition of anonymity. “This was a calculated move—by Thailand—against its own people.”
