Bangkok: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to explain to foreign countries and condemn Cambodia’s violation of the ceasefire agreement in Ottawa. An advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to address international concerns and condemn Cambodia’s violation of the ceasefire agreement with Ottawa after the discovery of PMN-2 in the area of Cambodia’s ambush site. He pointed out that Cambodia has never cooperated with Thailand in recovering the weapon. Meanwhile, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson issued a statement slamming Cambodia for violating Thai sovereignty again and preparing to submit evidence to the Internet of Things (IOT).
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Chayika Wongnapachan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response to the Thai-Cambodian border situation, stating that it continues to communicate with international media and Thai English-language media to communicate with the international community. While Cambodia has invited ambassadors from over 40 countries to address the condemnation of its use of “new” anti-personnel landmines and remains undeniable in the face of undeniable evidence, it has pledged to cooperate in demining and dismantling a call center gang with Thailand. The Thai military recently announced the discovery of one PMN-2 mine near the location where Cambodian soldiers were found lying in ambush. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is prepared to take action on the international stage if sufficient evidence supports this action, which is condemned as a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and the Ottawa Convention.
Ms. Chayika also emphasized that Thailand has consistently called for the clearance of old mines since before the conflict, starting with the government of former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin and continuing through the government of current Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra. However, Cambodia has never received any cooperation. Regarding newly planted mines by Cambodia, if Thai soldiers hadn’t stepped on them, it would be impossible to know if Cambodia had used them. Thailand has immediately protested through all channels and in accordance with international law and will continue to closely and intensively monitor Cambodia’s actions to determine whether it will actually comply with its pledge to clear the mines or whether it is merely a tactic to alleviate pressure. “Actions” often speak louder than words.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Nikorndej Plangkura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement regarding the recent intrusion into Thai sovereignty and the discovery of anti-personnel mines in Thai territory by Cambodian soldiers. He stated that on August 22, 2015, Thai military units detected Cambodian military operations west of Hill 350 in Surin Province, which encroached upon Thai sovereignty. The Thai military then expelled the Cambodian soldiers. Subsequently, an inspection of the area found three PMN-2 mines at the location where the Cambodian soldiers were found and in the surrounding area, along with a number of other weapons. This incident again clearly indicates that Cambodia has violated Thailand’s sovereignty, its obligations under the Ottawa Convention, and several conditions of the ceasefire agreement reached at the recent extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting. Thailand will gather all evidence and submit it to the I
nterim Observer Team (IOT) to inform them of Cambodia’s actions.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also revealed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will travel to Geneva this week to meet with key countries on the landmine issue, including the Ottawa Committee on Cooperative Compliance. The meeting will address Cambodia’s repeated violations of the Convention, including the latest incident. He also took the opportunity to urge other countries to urge Cambodia to cooperate with Thailand in clearing landmines along its borders, and, as a state party to the Convention, to responsibly fulfill its obligations under the Convention.