Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Breaching Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty

Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand.

Thailand has accused Cambodia of deliberately planting new anti-personnel mines in violation of the Ottawa Treaty, calling on the international community to condemn the alleged breach and press Phnom Penh to cooperate in clearing deadly explosives along the border.

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Visarn Techathirawat, led a delegation of ambassadors and representatives from 33 countries, two international organisations and a civil society group to Si Sa Ket province on 16 August. The group, supported by the Royal Thai Army, inspected areas where mines have reportedly been recently planted, injuring five Thai soldiers.

Mr Maris told the diplomats that evidence presented by the military, including photographs and field reports, proved that the mines were newly laid by Cambodian forces, contradicting Phnom Penh’s claims that only remnants of old minefields remain. “These are new mines, developed and deployed in violation of the Ottawa Convention,” he said. “Thailand has already destroyed its stockpiles. Cambodia must show sincerity and cooperate in clearing all mines, both old and new.”

The Ottawa Treaty, signed in 1997, bans the use, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Thailand has been a vocal supporter of the agreement, which it ratified in 1999.

During the visit, local residents of Phu Mueang village who lost limbs to past explosions met the delegation, highlighting the long-term humanitarian toll of mines. “Whether new or old, these mines bring suffering that lasts decades,” said one villager, who has lived with a prosthetic leg for more than 30 years.

The inspection also included a briefing at Phumsarol Witthaya School, where delegates watched a documentary titled “The Sound of Explosions the World Did Not Hear, But Si Sa Ket Cannot Forget.” The film recounted the deadly blast of 24 July that triggered the latest border tensions, killing civilians, including schoolchildren and shop workers, when Cambodian artillery shells and BM-21 rockets struck a petrol station and nearby homes. Others were injured, and hundreds of houses were destroyed or badly damaged.

The Foreign Minister warned that if Cambodia fails to act, Bangkok would move unilaterally to clear its territory, to uphold international law and safeguard border communities. “Thailand will not wait,” Mr Maris declared. “We must protect our people and honour our obligations under the Ottawa Convention.”

Mr Maris also raised the issue at the 10th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Yunnan, China, earlier this month, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed support for Thailand’s position. “China and other countries agree that the use of these weapons is unacceptable,” he said, adding that Beijing was willing to support joint mine clearance efforts.

Despite a formal ceasefire agreement between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, Mr Maris accused Cambodia of waging “information warfare” by spreading disinformation about the border situation. He urged the international community to push back against “false narratives” and help create conditions for genuine peace talks.

  Adapted by Asean Now from InsideThailand 2025-08-17