Diplomats to receive information on violations concerning landmines
Thailand is continuing its efforts to address the persistent use of anti-personnel landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border. Despite ongoing tensions and incidents, the country is working towards increased cooperation with Cambodia.
Recent Incidents
Multiple Thai soldiers have been severely injured by landmines along the border, with the most recent notable case occurring in early August 2025 near Ta Muen Thom temple, a disputed area. Thailand accuses Cambodia of covertly planting these mines, which violates both the ceasefire and international law.
Diplomatic and Cooperative Actions
Following diplomatic protests by Thailand and pressure regarding mine placement, Cambodia has shown a somewhat cooperative stance by agreeing to conduct joint surveys with Thailand to identify priority areas for demining. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized field visits, including diplomatic missions, to present evidence of violations related to landmine use.
Thailand supports both the Interim Observer Team (IOT) and the proposed ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) for overseeing the border and landmine issues. However, Thailand notes logistical and legal complexities associated with the AOT.
Ceasefire and Ongoing Risks
Despite a ceasefire agreed on July 29, 2025, clashes and landmine incidents have persisted. The border remains highly militarized with disputes over territorial claims, and Cambodia has reportedly continued to place mines covertly within Thai sovereign territory, breaching ceasefire terms.
Cambodia’s Mine Clearance Record
Cambodian officials cite that Cambodia has cleared over 1 million mines and nearly 3 million unexploded ordnances since the 1970s conflict era, positioning this as progress in mine action despite current accusations.
Future Steps
On Friday, a briefing will take place led by the government's Ad-Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. The delegation will be briefed by Thai demining teams operating in the border zone. The briefing will also cover the Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting tomorrow to discuss the implementation of the 13-point ceasefire agreement and clearing landmines in disputed areas.
The delegation will inspect mine clearance activities at Phu Makua and damage sites at Ban Nong Mek and Phum Saron Witthaya School in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district. Thailand will present documented evidence of mine-related incidents to the international community.
Regional Peace Efforts
Thailand will push for stronger pressure on Phnom Penh to end the use of anti-personnel landmines. The spread of misinformation and fake news by Cambodian state media infringes on previous GBC ceasefire agreements, which committed both sides to reducing tensions. Mr Nikorndej also called on Cambodia to allow open access to global news sources so its citizens "can form their own judgements based on facts".
In addition, the RBC will discuss cracking down on cross-border scam gangs. Capt Pharis Wongpensri mentioned this in a recent statement. Thailand will brief more than 50 diplomats from signatories and member states of the Ottawa Convention on repeated landmine incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border. Site visits are scheduled for tomorrow.
The refusal by Cambodia undermines regional peace efforts, violates the United Nations Charter, and the Ottawa Convention, according to Mr Russ. An Interim Observer Team, composed of military representatives from neutral countries, will conduct independent inspections between Aug 18-20, as confirmed by Mr Jirayu.
In the context of ongoing tensions and disputes along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thailand is leveraging diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to address the persistent use of anti-personnel landmines. These efforts include organizing field visits and presenting evidence of violations, supporting the Interim Observer Team (IOT) and the proposed ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), and pushing for stronger international pressure on Cambodia to end the use of these mines. Meanwhile, politics and general news are closely following the war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice aspects of this situation, with the future steps including briefings, site visits, and inspections.
