Thai - Cambodia Conflict Thailand Urges Global Action on Border Landmines

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is stepping up diplomatic efforts to address repeated landmine incidents along its border with Cambodia. Today, more than 50 diplomats from Ottawa Convention signatories will be briefed in Bangkok, highlighting Cambodia's reluctance to cooperate in demining operations.

 

The situation has intensified following a recent incident where Thai forces encountered Cambodian-laid mines in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. Thailand plans to present documented cases of mine-related incidents, urging the international community to exert pressure on Phnom Penh for compliance with the Ottawa Convention.

 

Jirayu Houngsub, spokesperson for the government's Ad-Hoc Centre on this issue, stated, "The use of anti-personnel landmines is a grave breach of the Ottawa Convention and basic humanitarian principles."

 

Tomorrow, diplomats will visit Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces to see firsthand the mine clearance activities. They will be briefed by Thai demining teams and inspect sites such as Phu Makua and schools affected by landmines in the Kantharalak district.

 

Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, explained that this initiative follows Phanom Dong Rak's incident and emphasised that Thailand's formal protests through diplomatic channels have been ignored. He noted that during prior General Border Committee meetings, Cambodia declined joint demining efforts in disputed areas.

 

"This refusal shows a lack of sincerity and undermines regional peace efforts. It also violates the UN Charter and the Ottawa Convention," Jalichandra added.

In a bid to independently verify these occurrences, an Interim Observer Team, comprising neutral military representatives, will conduct inspections from 18-20 August.

 

Reflecting on further actions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura mentioned that Thailand is coordinating with international mine clearance organisations to reassess humanitarian support to Cambodia, given Phnom Penh's non-cooperation. Additionally, concerns were raised about Cambodian media restrictions.

 

"Citizens in Cambodia should have the right to receive independent information. The spread of misinformation by Cambodian state media violates previous ceasefire agreements intended to ease tensions," Balankura stated. He urged Cambodia to grant access to global news sources to allow its citizens to make informed decisions.

 

Military leaders from both countries will convene tomorrow under the Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee. Key discussion points include implementing a 13-point ceasefire deal and addressing landmine removal and cross-border scams.

 

The unfolding border situation calls for international collaboration and transparency to ensure safety and maintain peace in the region. The world awaits Phnom Penh's response and hopes for a constructive dialogue that respects humanitarian standards and international agreements.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-15

 

[Will B Good]

 

 

......and cluster bombs?

[Myran]

28 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

......and cluster bombs?

Thailand and many other countries are not signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, so they're free to use them, though obviously not in an indiscriminate way.

Cambodia, on the other hand, have signed the Ottawa Treaty, so them using anti-personnel mines is illegal.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, Myran said:

Thailand and many other countries are not signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, so they're free to use them, though obviously not in an indiscriminate way.

Cambodia, on the other hand, have signed the Ottawa Treaty, so them using anti-personnel mines is illegal.

 

Well but in line with the headline, maybe Thailand should be "urged" to sign that convention.

 

Thailand seems to be quite selective; they also don't accept ICJ jurisdiction when they know they'd lose again. So their crying wolf gets a bit annoying.

[WHansen]

When Thailand gets criticised by any international agency for its behaviour or actions the concerns are dismissed, now they want international support. You can't have it both ways.

[StayinThailand2much]

How did Cambodians lay landmines on Thai territory? (Unless, of course, it is territory claimed by Thailand...)

 

[SportRider]

Between July 15 and August 12, 2025, the Royal Thai Army reported discovering 41 newly planted PMN-2 anti-personnel mines in areas that had previously been cleared of mines by the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), especially near high-profile sites like the Ta Muen Thom temple. Thai authorities allege these mines were deliberately placed by Cambodian military personnel, supported by video footage showing Cambodian soldiers burying mines as well as photographic evidence of Cambodian soldiers with stockpiles of PMN-2 mines. There have been multiple incidents resulting in serious injuries to Thai soldiers while on patrol in those areas. 

 

Source: the Internet. 

[BIFROST]

Let the Cambodian POWs clear the minefields !

 

Denmark did that using German POWs after WW2 !

[mfd101]

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Key point here (that often gets forgotten/deliberately confused): Thailand does NOT claim possession of the Preah Vihear temple and has repeatedly said so.

 

It does claim possession of the lands to the north, east & west of the temple related to the local geography. Thailand's argument on this point seems to me weak, as they accepted the French ruling on the matter early in the last century and have lost out in the international legal rulings ever since.

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"The use of anti-personnel landmines is a grave breach of the Ottawa Convention and basic humanitarian principl

Yes, Thailand is such a defender of human rights that it had to pass the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, which came into effect in February 2023. This law criminalizes torture, enforced disappearance, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. PM Prayut said government wasn't trained sufficiently to implement the law, successive PM's have been silent about the law.

Also recall Thailand’s secret deportation of 40 Uyghurs sanctioned by the UN for asylum to China.

[Burma Bill]

7 hours ago, SportRider said:

Between July 15 and August 12, 2025, the Royal Thai Army reported discovering 41 newly planted PMN-2 anti-personnel mines in areas that had previously been cleared of mines by the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), especially near high-profile sites like the Ta Muen Thom temple. Thai authorities allege these mines were deliberately placed by Cambodian military personnel, supported by video footage showing Cambodian soldiers burying mines as well as photographic evidence of Cambodian soldiers with stockpiles of PMN-2 mines. There have been multiple incidents resulting in serious injuries to Thai soldiers while on patrol in those areas. 

 

Source: the Internet. 

 

Fake News issued by the Siamese military: (reference)

 

Cambodia has dismissed as fabricated a video circulated by the Thai army accusing Cambodian troops of secretly planting new landmines along the disputed border, saying the footage was staged and intended to mislead the public.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/category/national/

[StayinThailand2much]

15 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Key point here (that often gets forgotten/deliberately confused): Thailand does NOT claim possession of the Preah Vihear temple and has repeatedly said so.

 

It does claim possession of the lands to the north, east & west of the temple related to the local geography. Thailand's argument on this point seems to me weak, as they accepted the French ruling on the matter early in the last century and have lost out in the international legal rulings ever since.

 

Isn't the entrance of the temple on Thailand-claimed territory?

[mfd101]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Isn't the entrance of the temple on Thailand-claimed territory?

Not if you look at the map above. But that could depend on the precise geography and the steep terrain ...