Bangkok: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advancing a complaint against Cambodia concerning the use of landmines, following incidents where Thai soldiers were injured.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry reported on Cambodia’s actions to international organizations, highlighting the laying of anti-personnel mines that have seriously injured Thai soldiers. The Ministry’s report details Thailand’s response under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) after incidents on 16 July, 23 July, and 9 August 2025, where Cambodian military forces allegedly placed new anti-personnel mines in areas within Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket Provinces.
The Ministry has acted within the Ottawa Convention’s framework, sending three letters to the President of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the Ottawa Convention. These letters expose Cambodia’s alleged behavior of laying PMN-2 mines, which contravenes the Convention. The Ministry emphasizes that this act not only encroaches on Thai sovereignty
but also affects humanitarian rights and violates international law, including the United Nations Charter.
Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York has also reached out to the UN Secretary-General, seeking clarification from Cambodia regarding these violations. The Thai side has requested that other States Parties be informed of Cambodia’s alleged breach of the Convention.
The Ministry notes that mines were discovered shortly after a GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Thailand proposed joint mine clearance, which Cambodia rejected. The Ministry further highlights that the Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, or transport of anti-personnel mines and mandates their destruction. Thailand, a party since 1999, has fully complied, while Cambodia, a party since 2000, still retains mines for research and training.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to engage with high-level representatives and civil society organizations to address Cambodia’s alleged vio
lations and seeks to clarify the facts with the Committee on the Implementation of the Convention.