Thai Actresses Deny Mocking Cambodia Amid Online Fake News
By Khaosod English Sunday, August 10, 2025
Photo combination of actresses Davika Hoorne (left) and Ann Thongprasom, both of whom deny accusations of mocking Cambodians.
BANGKOK — Three prominent Thai actresses are defending themselves against a coordinated online attack campaign that has falsely accused them of mocking Cambodian victims of alleged chemical weapons attacks.
Ann Thongprasom, Ling Ling Kong, and Davika Hoorne have become targets of manipulated social media content amid escalating tensions between Thai and Cambodian netizens following recent border clashes.
The Dry Ice Incident
The controversy surrounding 48-year-old actress and producer Ann Thongprasom began with an innocent Instagram video posted during a meal at an omakase restaurant. The clip showed Ann, Channel 3 executive Pinkamol Malinont, and actress Ling Ling Kwong reacting with surprise when dry ice vapor from a sushi demonstration unexpectedly billowed into their faces
“The chef was demonstrating a dish with dry ice, and when he added water, the vapor suddenly hit our faces while I was setting up to take photos. We gasped and laughed – that’s all,” Ann explained during the “RUN FOR MOM 2025” event at Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park….
However, the video was twisted by online agitators who claimed Ann and Ling Ling were mocking Cambodian civilians allegedly killed by poison gas – itself part of unsubstantiated claims that Thailand used chemical weapons, which referenced misidentified images of Los Angeles wildfire suppression efforts
“I’m confused how this could lead to such a misunderstanding when it’s completely unrelated,” Ann said. “Who would mock poison gas victims? We would never do such a thing. We’ve lived our entire lives without such behavior.”
Davika’s Vogue Controversy
Separately, actress Davika Hoorne faced backlash over a Vogue Thailand photo shoot where text reading “2025 Cambodia” appeared near her feet – a standard layout element that appeared similarly in other photos from the same shoot.
Cambodian netizens accused her of deliberately disrespecting their country, leading to boycott threats and forcing Davika to publicly address the accusations.
She thanked Thai fans for their support while apologizing that others had to witness the harsh online discourse, expressing hope that “time might make things better.”
Historical Pattern
This isn’t the first time Thai entertainment figures have been targeted by disinformation campaigns. In 2003, actress Suvanant Kongying was falsely reported in Cambodian media as claiming Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand, leading to riots that resulted in the burning of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
The incident highlighted how Thai entertainment’s cultural influence in Cambodia – through popular dramas and films – can be weaponized during political tensions.
Current Crisis Context
The latest attacks come amid broader Thai-Cambodian tensions following border clashes from May 28 and July 24-28 that left casualties on both sides. Despite a ceasefire brokered with international support, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, cultural and online conflicts persist.
Cambodia has responded by banning Thai movies and TV shows and ordering broadcasters to stop airing Thai-produced content, including popular soap operas that have long been staples of Cambodian television.
The targeting of entertainment figures represents a new front in what analysts describe as a disinformation war that continues to inflame public sentiment despite official diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
SOURCE: Khaosod English Sunday, August 10, 2025
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