Thai Military Alleges Landmine Placement by Cambodia Within Thai Borders, Calls for Transparency and Responsibility

The Thai-Cambodia border has been a source of contention for many years, with the latest flare-up involving a long-standing territorial dispute exacerbated by recent landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers. Both countries have accused each other of aggression, violations of ceasefire agreements, and international law.

On July 23, 2025, a Thai soldier lost a leg after stepping on a PMN-2 landmine during a border patrol in a disputed area. Several other Thai soldiers were injured by landmines on July 16 and August 9. Both nations have exchanged fire following these incidents, including Cambodian rocket attacks and Thai air strikes using F-16s.

Cambodia argues that Thai incursions and military activities around temples in the Dangrek Mountains, such as Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey, violate ceasefire agreements. On the other hand, Thailand accuses Cambodia of deliberately planting new landmines and using drones to target Thai positions, further escalating the conflict.

The Thai Army spokesman, Major General Winthai Suwaree, accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire agreement and the Ottawa Treaty by illegally placing PMN-2 landmines in Thailand. The area near the Ta Muen Thom temple, which had previously been cleared by the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) between 2020 and 2022, has seen Thai forces encounter PMN-2 landmines on five separate occasions since July 16, 2025.

The Thai Army has provided photographic evidence showing Cambodian soldiers holding large quantities of PMN-2 mines near the Ta Muen Thom temple. This evidence supports the Thai Army's claim that Cambodia continues to use landmines as a weapon against Thailand. The Royal Thai Army's Facebook page "RTATrend" posted a video on Wednesday, July 21, 2025, showing a Cambodian soldier planting PMN-2 mines in areas patrolled by Thai forces.

The Thai Army also expressed concerns about the potential misuse of funds intended for Cambodia's landmine clearance operations. Cambodia remains one of the most heavily landmine-contaminated countries globally, with millions of unexploded landmines laid from the Khmer Rouge era to the early 1990s. International funding and humanitarian efforts focus on mine clearance and victim assistance, given Cambodia’s high rates of amputees and the ongoing dangers posed by landmines.

Thailand hopes that international donors will thoroughly examine the situation and hold Cambodia accountable for its actions in violating the Ottawa Treaty. The conflict has serious humanitarian and funding consequences related to landmine clearance and civilian safety.

References:

BBC News. (2025, August 5). Thai-Cambodia border: Landmine dispute escalates. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61957269
Reuters. (2025, July 26). Cambodia accuses Thailand of seizing temples, violating international law. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodia-accuses-thailand-seizing-temples-violating-international-law-2025-07-26/
The Diplomat. (2025, August 3). The Thai-Cambodia Border Dispute: A Historical Overview. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/the-thai-cambodia-border-dispute-a-historical-overview/
The New York Times. (2025, July 24). Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute Escalates, Causing Evacuations. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/world/asia/cambodia-thailand-border-dispute.html
The Guardian. (2025, August 6). Thai-Cambodia border: landmine dispute escalates as both countries accuse each other of violations. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/thai-cambodia-border-landmine-dispute-escalates-as-both-countries-accuse-each-other-of-violations

Thai Military Alleges Landmine Placement by Cambodia Within Thai Borders, Calls for Transparency and Responsibility