Ottawa Convention envoys to visit Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday

The Thai Foreign Ministry will host envoys from Ottawa Convention signatory countries on a field tour of Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces this Saturday, to observe the performance of Thai demining units at Phu Makua, one of the scenes of fierce fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces late last month.

Government Spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said today that the envoys will also be taken to visit a school, in Sao Thong Chai sub-district of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province, which was seriously damaged by a Cambodian rocket attack.

A briefing will also be conducted by Thai officials for the visiting envoys.

Jirayu said that the organised inspection tour is intended to present the Thai side of the story to the international community, concerning Cambodia’s alleged violations of the Ottawa Convention and basic human rights principles.

Meanwhile, the Thai Army has scheduled a separate inspection tour of Ubon Ratchathani, from August 18 to 20, for the Interim Observer Team.