Phnom Penh: With factual evidence, Cambodia turns down a published article on a Thai news outlet, The Nation Thailand, baselessly reporting that a forest fire in the country spread from Cambodia.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, The Nation Thailand on Feb. 11 published an article claiming that the forest fire incident in Cambodia’s Pursat province had spread and caused a forest fire at Banthat mountain in Trat province of Thailand. The article embedded its carrying image that showed only the fire incident in Thailand.

The Pursat Provincial Department of Environment issued a clarification on the same day rejecting the article, explaining that there was a small-scale bushfire in Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district of the province, and the area is not covered with forest that connects to the forest in Thailand. Pertinent authority of the province, added the clarification, had timely stopped the fire, resulting in no harm to human, animal, and forest biodiversity in the location.

With further scientific assessment using the recorded satellite images and the wind movement during the time of the incident, Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment issued another clarification on Feb. 12 to support the statement of its Pursat’s line department and completely turned down the misleading and unfactual report by The Nation Thailand. The ministry also reaffirmed its high commitment to closely monitoring and readiness to intervene in forest fire incidents that could hamper Cambodia’s natural resources and biodiversity as well as human health and security.