Thailand calls for global push on Cambodia to cooperate in demining

Thailand today called on the international community, particularly state parties to the Ottawa Convention, to press Cambodia to cooperate by conducting joint Thai–Cambodian demining operations, covering both old and newly laid mines.

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa made the appeal while escorting envoys from 33 countries and representatives from international organisations on a field visit to Si Sa Ket province, to observe areas affected by anti-personnel landmines laid by Cambodian forces.

“The objective of today’s site visit is to enable the international community to witness undisputable and verifiable evidence that Cambodia has deliberately violated the Ottawa Convention,” Maris said.

Maris said the envoys witnessed the humanitarian toll of anti-personnel landmines on the Thai side, describing the use of such weapons as violations of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of the United Nations Charter.

Maris repeated calls for Cambodia to “demonstrate sincerity” and accept Thailand’s proposal at a special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting for joint demining.

“Action, or in this case inaction, reflect true intent,” he added.

He said photographs and evidence presented by the Army confirm that the mines were newly laid by Cambodian troops and have caused severe injuries to Thai soldiers, including five cases of permanent disability.

“These are not old landmines left un-cleared, as claimed by Cambodia. Thailand, for its part, has destroyed all landmines in its stockpile,” he said.

He warned that landmines not only endanger the lives of soldiers and civilians, but also fuel mistrust and hatred between the peoples of the neighbouring countries, as “anti-personnel landmines are indiscriminate weapons that harm both combatants and innocent civilians. They are inhumane.”

Thailand stressed that, despite a ceasefire agreed at the recent GBC meeting, Cambodia has continued to spread “distorted information.”

That’s why the Thai government invited foreign diplomats and media to be first-hand witnesses, underscoring Bangkok’s commitment to transparency and verifiable evidence.

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Nikorndej Balankura, said that a group of Thai civilians, who were injured in attacks by Cambodian troops in July, were presented at the briefing.

Nikorndej Balankura, Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesman

He said they also serve as hard evidence that Cambodia has violated multiple international laws.

Moreover, Thailand aims to communicate based on facts. Therefore, we have called on the Cambodian side to refrain from using misinformation and to stop spreading fake news.

“I am convinced that the truth will always prevail,” he said.