Bangkok: “Jirayu” has denied claims that Cambodia is spreading distorted information to the international community.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office and the Committee on Border Situation Administration (CCSA), revealed that several Cambodian media outlets reported on July 30, 2015, that Thai F-16 fighter jets or Gripens had dropped MK-84 bombs. The reports were based on statements by Mr. Hang Ratana, Director of the National Mine Action Agency of Cambodia (CMAC). Mr. Jirayu called these claims a complete fabrication, questioning the credibility of Cambodia’s statements with his daily query, “What lie is Cambodia telling today?”

Mr. Jirayu pointed out that the bomb in question was actually an old ordnance unearthed by the United States, initially dropped on North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in Cambodia during the Vietnam War between 1970 and 1973. He criticized Cambodia for distorting the image to suggest it was recently dropped by a Thai F-16 on Cambodian soil.

He further highlighted the implausibility of Mr. Hang’s claims by noting the casual attire of the defuser in the images, which would not be appropriate if the bomb were newly active. Mr. Jirayu expressed astonishment at the misleading nature of the statements released by high-ranking Cambodian officials, suggesting a lack of credibility in their reports to the international community.