ប្រទេសថៃបង្ហាញភ័ស្តុតាងនៃការរំលោភលើគ្រាប់មីននៅកម្ពុជាក្នុងកិច្ចប្រជុំអនុសញ្ញាអូតាវ៉ា
Thailand presents Evidence of Cambodian Landmine Violations at Ottawa Convention meeting
Foreign Minister marris Sangiampongsa held a bilateral discussion with Ichikawa Tomiko, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference On disarmament and President of the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), With Carolyne-Melanie Regimbal, Head of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Participating in the talks.
Minister Maris provided detailed updates on landmine incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border. He reported the discovery of PMN-2 mines on Thai territory, which have injured six Thai soldiers since July 16, 2025. Three of these incidents occurred after the ceasefire agreement on July 28, 2025. Previous landmine incidents occurred on July 16, July 23, July 28, August 9, August 12, August 22, and August 27. In the most recent incident, one soldier lost his lower right leg. Thailand’s investigations indicate that the mines were newly planted, with factory markings and no signs of vegetation or rooting, and that Cambodian forces were trained to deploy them. Thailand no longer possesses landmines in its stockpile.
Minister Maris also provided context on related cross-border attacks. On July 24, 2025, Cambodian forces launched cross-border artillery attacks, including BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, at Ta Muen Tom in Surin Province, striking schools, hospitals, and civilian areas, resulting in civilian casualties, including children. Thailand responded in a limited and proportionate manner, targeting military objectives only, in line with international law, the UN Charter, and humanitarian law.
Thailand emphasized its adherence to bilateral and multilateral mechanisms for conflict resolution. A ceasefire agreement covering all types of weapons, including landmines, took effect on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, though further landmine incidents occurred on August 9, August 12, August 22, and August 27. Thailand has pursued cooperation through the Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) and General Border Committee (GBC). In the most recent RBC meeting, Cambodia agreed in principle to cooperate on humanitarian demining, with implementation details to be addressed at the GBC meeting next month.
Thailand highlighted its long-standing commitment to humanitarian disarmament and mine clearance. Over 99% of Thailand’s mine-contaminated areas, covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres, have been cleared. Remaining contamination is limited to 12.8 square kilometres along the border with Cambodia. Thailand has also participated in mine victim support and community reintegration programs.
The Foreign Minister stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Ottawa Convention. Thailand has formally requested clarification from Cambodia under Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Convention, and called on States Parties to encourage Cambodia’s compliance. He announced Thailand’s participation in the UN Secretary-General’s Global Advocacy Campaign on Humanitarian Disarmament and Mine Action.
Approximately 14 States Parties, including France, Norway, Germany, Belgium, and the European Union, were briefed on Thailand’s evidence and measures. Representatives praised Thailand’s professional, proportionate, and legally grounded response, noting that military targets were prioritized and civilian harm minimized. They also acknowledged Thailand’s continued use of bilateral dialogue to address border issues.
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