Bangkok: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated to diplomats from 68 countries that Cambodia has breached the Ottawa Convention and encroached upon Thai sovereignty, urging international intervention for accountability and resolution.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorndej Plangoon, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed a press conference following a briefing to 93 ambassadors or their representatives. The briefing, attended by high-level officials including Ekkasiri Pindaruchi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, Spokesperson of the TMAC, highlighted the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Mr. Nikorndej outlined the incident where three Thai army personnel sustained injuries from a landmine in Ubon Ratchathani Province. He emphasized that the mines were newly planted and identified as Cambodian, marking a violation of international law. The Thai government condemned the use of these anti-personnel mines, which infringe upon Thai sovereignty and contravene the Ottawa Convention and United Nations Charter.
Thailand has submitted a formal protest to the Cambodian Embassy, demanding an investigation and compensation for the victims, as well as mine clearance efforts. Additionally, an official letter has been sent to the Japanese Ambassador to the Conference of the Parties to the Disarmament Convention, underscoring Thailand’s commitment to reporting violations of the Ottawa Convention.
The Ministry has assured that diplomatic channels remain open, with Thailand ready to engage in bilateral discussions to resolve the issue. Mr. Nikorndej also noted that Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampong is in New York for the United Nations High-level Political Dialogue on Sustainable Development, where he is reinforcing Thailand’s stance on peaceful problem-solving.
Despite the incident, operations by the National Explosives Operations Center (T-Mac) remain unaffected, and Thailand continues to fulfill its obligations under the Ottawa Convention. Mr. Nikorndej reaffirmed that diplomatic measures such as recalling ambassadors have not been considered, as Thailand prioritizes bilateral negotiations to address the situation.