Cambodia suspected of using foreign mercenaries to operate “killer” drones

Thailand’s Second Army Region suspect that Cambodia may have hired foreign mercenaries to operate First Person View (FPV) drones, equipped with bombs, to attack Thai military targets along the Thai-Cambodian border.

According to informed security sources, FPV drones fitted with 82mm mortar rounds were deployed by Cambodian forces in recent attacks on Thai troops based at the Chong Anh Ma border pass in Ubon Ratchathani.

Remotely controlled via fiber-optic cable from a base camp—and coordinated closely with a scout drone for target acquisition—the FPV “killer” drones can remain airborne for extended periods.

They are typically detonated in front of or behind bunkers to scatter shrapnel intended to maim or kill troops inside, the sources explained.

A drone pilot can operate more than one FPV drone simultaneously with GPS assistance, but for optimal accuracy only one should be flown by a single operator at a time, the sources added.

Suspicion over the involvement of foreign pilots stems from the intercepted use of the English word “finished” on the CRL military radio frequency.

The sources also noted that FPV drones are difficult to shoot down due to their high speed.