Cambodia's Defense ministry denies Thai accusations over landmine blast

Cambodia has categorically denied what it called Thailand’s baseless accusations implicating it in the landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers on Wednesday, said a spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence.

“The National Defence Ministry of Cambodia rejects the unsubstantiated claims by the Thai side that five Thai soldiers were injured by a newly planted landmine in that area,” said Maly Socheata.

Implying that the Thai soldiers had encroached onto Cambodian soil, she said the explosion occurred in An Sae village, Cheung Saen commune, Cheung Saen district, Preah Vihear province — within Cambodian territory.

Cambodia reiterated that it has repeatedly warned Thailand that the area remains heavily contaminated with landmines left over from past wars, which have yet to be fully cleared.

It also urged Thailand to refrain from actions that violate the mutual agreement on patrol routes under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000).

“It is deeply regrettable that the Thai side not only refuses to acknowledge its own acts of incursion, but instead accuses Cambodia of violating international law — when in fact, Cambodia is the aggrieved party suffering injustice from Thai violations,” she said.

The ministry and the Cambodian armed forces reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the issue through peaceful means in accordance with international law.

However, they also emphasized their full readiness to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of its people — declaring that no nation would be allowed to violate Cambodian territory under any circumstances.