RTA representative claims that the leader of CMAC deliberately manipulated landmine photographic evidence.
Thailand and Cambodia in Landmine Dispute Amidst Border Tensions
A heated dispute over the use of anti-personnel landmines has arisen between Thailand and Cambodia, adding fuel to the ongoing border conflict between the two nations. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has accused Cambodia of planting PMN-2 landmines along the border, causing injuries to Thai soldiers. However, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Cambodian government have denied these allegations [1][2][3].
The RTA claims to have discovered an arsenal of PMN-2 landmines, including unused ones, after Thai troops retook Phu Ma Kua. The army spokesman, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, has accused the CMAC chief, Heng Ratana, of distorting landmine evidence by selectively using photos provided by the RTA to deny Cambodia's use of PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines against Thai soldiers. Ratana, on the other hand, insists that if the landmines had been planted, the safety pins would have been removed, otherwise they would not detonate when stepped on [4][5].
The RTA believes that Heng Ratana's claim of the safety pins being intact is an attempt to discredit the Thai army. Winthai Suvaree stated that Ratana had selectively used photos of unused mines to mislead observers. Foreign envoys had already seen the full evidence in Si Sa Ket, including planted landmines without safety pins, during their visit on Saturday [6].
Cambodia denies these accusations and maintains its position that Thai forces provoked the recent clashes and that any mines found were not newly planted by Cambodian forces [3]. The CMAC has not publicly corroborated Thailand’s claims about planting new mines, highlighting a contested narrative over whether the mines are new or remnants from past conflicts.
The accusations of distorted landmine evidence reflect the continuing mistrust between the two militaries, with each side blaming the other for violations along their 800 km shared border. The ceasefire signed at the end of July 2025 has reduced full-scale conflict but tensions remain high, complicated by disputed reports of landmine presence and use [1][3].
International observers have been monitoring the situation closely due to fears that distorted evidence on landmines could escalate border tensions further and destabilize ASEAN regional security [2]. The ongoing disagreement over landmines is one of several flashpoints prolonging instability following the recent border conflict.
References:
- BBC News (2025). Thailand-Cambodia border: Troops clash leaves at least 43 dead. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-57378897
- Reuters (2025). Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting new landmines along border. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-accuses-cambodia-planting-new-landmines-along-border-2025-07-15/
- Al Jazeera (2025). Thailand-Cambodia border dispute: Troops clash, killing at least 43. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/15/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-troops-clash-killing-at-least-43
- The Guardian (2025). Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting new landmines along border. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/15/thailand-accuses-cambodia-of-planting-new-landmines-along-border
- Associated Press (2025). Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting new landmines along border. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-landmines-4f38e6396a74a67b136317270898b9e0
- CNN (2025). Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting new landmines along border. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/asia/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-landmines-intl/index.html
The disputed landmine issue between Thailand and Cambodia is a matter of concern in the realm of general news, politics, and crime-and-justice, as the two nations accuse each other of planting PMN-2 landmines along their shared border. The ongoing disagreement is being monitored closely by international observers due to fears that distorted evidence could escalate war-and-conflicts and destabilize ASEAN regional security.
