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Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Landmines block Thai military from securing temple site
A field of unexpected and illegally laid landmines blocked Thai soldiers from securing the Ta Kwai temple ruins in Surin province before the ceasefire with Cambodia took effect, according to the Royal Thai Army. The area in Phanom Dong Rak district was the last spot being contested by Thai and Cambodian forces before the agreement to withdraw troops took effect at 12am on Tuesday, spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree told a press conference at army headquarters in Bangkok on Thursday. According to Maj Gen Winthai, Thai soldiers had not been deployed at the Ta Kwai ruins because they could have been easy targets for Cambodian troops on the nearby and taller Hill 350. In the evening before the ceasefire took effect, Thai soldiers tried to take control of both the Ta Kwai site and Hill 350 but did not expect to face landmines that were laid around the ancient temple. One army officer was seriously injured when a landmine exploded during the attempt, and the military had to weigh the prospects for completing the military operation against the effects on soldiers' morale, Maj Gen Winthai said. 'The injury from the landmine field had an impact on our last attempt to advance,' he added. When the ceasefire took effect, Thai soldiers did not have control of the temple but they occupied more areas than they had done before the border clashes. The area now under Thai control includes land adjacent to the temple ruins, but Thai soldiers could do nothing when Cambodian soldiers entered the ruins themselves, Maj Gen Winthai said. He said it was evident that landmines were used in the Ta Kwai area, in violation of the Ottawa Treaty which bans anti-personnel mines, the army spokesman said. Pictures of Cambodian soldiers at Ta Kwai showed bunches of Russian-made PMN-2 landmines left at the temple ruins, indicating that a large number were used, he added.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand's letter to the United Nations
The Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Missions and Permanent Observer Missions to the United Nations and has the honour to inform the latter on the grave situation affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Thailand as a result of Cambodia's act of military aggression as follows: 1. On 16 and 23 July 2025, Thai army personnels, while conducting a routine patrol along an established route within Thailand's territory, stepped on PMN-2 landmines. As a result, two soldiers sustained severe injuries, leading to permanent disability while the remaining were seriously injured. All of these PMN-2 landmines found were in new conditions, still with clearly visible markings. Evidence suggest that these landmines were newly planted. As a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Thailand has dutifully submitted her annual transparency reports on the implementation of the obligations under the Convention in accordance with article 7. The reports documented that Thailand completed the destruction of all its stockpile of anti-personnel mines in 2003, and subsequently destroyed all mines retained for training and research purposes in 2019. In contrast, Cambodia's latest report indicates that, as of 31 December 2024, Cambodia continues to retain PMN-2 landmines. 2. On 24 July 2025, at 08.20 hrs. Cambodian soldiers opened fire on a Thai military base at Ta Muen Thom in Surin Province of Thailand, resulting in the immediate injury of two Thai soldiers. Shortly after, Cambodian troops launched indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory across four provinces of Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. These aggressive, indiscriminate and unlawful acts against Thai civilians have caused serious harms and led to the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives, including women and children. Civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a school, also sustained significant damages. As of 14.00 hrs. on 24 July 2025, the attacks had resulted in 11 deaths and 24 injuries, 8 of which are in critical conditions. More than 102,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes. 3. These series of unprovoked armed attacks initiated by the Cambodian Armed Forces constitute a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence between States. Thailand has exercised utmost restraint against Cambodia's premeditated armed attacks and is compelled to exercise its inherent right of self-defence pursuant to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The self-defence measures taken by Thailand are strictly limited in scope, proportionate to the threats and directed solely at neutralizing the imminent danger posed by Cambodian Armed Forces. 4. Thailand further strongly condemns Cambodia's indiscriminate attacks against civilians, civilian objects, and public facilities, particularly hospitals, which constitute a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, specifically Article 18 of the First Geneva Convention (Wounded and sick III. Protection of hospitals) and Article 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (Protection of medical units and establishments). Such inhumane acts have caused human suffering and hardship to innocent civilians. 5. Thailand remains firmly committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and categorically rejects the use of force as a means to resolve international disputes. We call upon the international community to urge Cambodia to immediately cease its hostilities and resume dialogue in good faith. Thailand also reaffirms its readiness to engage through established bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission, which is scheduled to take place in early September 2025, to resolve any outstanding differences. The Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Missions and Permanent Observer Missions to the United Nations the assurances of its highest consideration.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand condemns Cambodia in letter to UN, asserting sovereignty violation
BANGKOK: Thailand has officially submitted a letter to the United Nations (UN) exposing acts of aggression by Cambodia, including the planting of new PMN-2 landmines, attacks on military bases, and assaults on civilians in four border provinces. The letter emphasises that these acts constitute a violation of international law while affirming Thailand's commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully. 1. Use of New PMN-2 Landmines Inside Thai Territory On July 16 and 23, 2025, while patrolling within Thai territory along the border, Thai soldiers encountered newly planted PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines, resulting in two soldiers being severely injured and several others wounded. Evidence indicates that the mines were recently placed, despite Thailand having destroyed all of its landmine stockpiles in 2003 and reporting this transparently to the UN. In contrast, Cambodia was reported as still possessing PMN-2 mines as of late 2024, leading Thailand to conclude that Cambodia is violating its obligations under the Ottawa Convention (Mine Ban Treaty). 2. Armed Attack by Cambodian Forces on Thai Territory At 8.20am on July 24, 2025, Cambodian troops opened fire on a Thai military base at Ta Muen Thom in Surin Province, killing two Thai soldiers instantly. Cambodia then expanded the operation indiscriminately into civilian areas in four Thai border provinces: Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani, resulting in: A total of 11 civilian deaths 24 injured (eight seriously) Heavy damage to civilian infrastructure including hospitals, schools, and public buildings Over 102,000 people forced to evacuate their homes 3. Violation of the UN Charter Thailand reaffirms that Cambodia's use of force is a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against another state. It is also contrary to the principle of peaceful coexistence between neighbouring countries. Thailand has exercised maximum restraint, and its military response is a legitimate act of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, carried out in a limited and targeted manner to counter the immediate threat posed by Cambodian forces. 4. Indiscriminate Attacks on Civilians and Protected Sites Thailand strongly condemns Cambodia's inhumane actions, including attacks on civilians, hospitals, and public facilities. These acts are considered serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, particularly: Article 18, which protects medical facilities Article 19, which protects the wounded and sick These attacks have caused immense suffering to innocent civilians. 5. Commitment to Peaceful Conflict Resolution Thailand reiterates its firm commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, clearly rejecting the use of force in resolving international conflicts. Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease its hostile actions and return to sincere negotiations. Thailand also expresses its readiness to engage in existing bilateral negotiation mechanisms, such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is scheduled to meet in early September 2025, to resolve remaining territorial disputes. - The Nation/ANN
The Diplomat
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Thailand Recalls Ambassador to Cambodia After Landmine Blast at Border
The two nations are inching toward open conflict, after Bangkok accused the Cambodian army of laying fresh landmines in a disputed area of the border. Thailand has recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and will expel Cambodia's envoy to the country, following a landmine incident yesterday that injured five Thai soldiers, one of them seriously, along the disputed border between the two countries. The announcement was made by the ruling Pheu Thai party said in a social media post, and then by Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who said in a government statement that the Thai Foreign Ministry had lodged a formal protest with Cambodia, claiming that the landmines found in the area were freshly laid. In the statement, Phumtham confirmed that the government was expelling the Cambodian ambassador, Hun Saroeun, while recalling the Thai envoy from Phnom Penh, the Bangkok Post reported. 'By recalling the Thai Ambassador from Cambodia and sending the Cambodian Ambassador back to Cambodia, we will consider the level of relations further,' Phumtham, who is also serving as acting prime minister, said in the statement. The incident also prompted the Thai government to order the closure of all border crossings in northeastern Thailand, and to enact its 'Chakrapong Phuwanart' emergency plan, which was last put into operation in 2011 during the conflict over Preah Vihear temple. According to the Royal Thai Army, the landmine incident occurred while soldiers were on patrol on an undemarcated stretch of the border between Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, not far from the triborder junction with Laos. As the Bangkok Post reported, the incident resulted in injuries to five soldiers, one of whom lost his right leg after stepping on the mine. The other four 'experienced chest tightness and tinnitus from the blast concussion.' The incident followed another landmine-related incident along the same stretch of the border on July 16, in which three other Thai soldiers were wounded after one stepped on a land mine and lost a foot. Earelier this week, the Thai army said it had found that 10 freshly laid Russian-made PMN-2 type landmines, which are not used by Thailand, in areas close to where the July 16 explosion took place. In a statement, the Thai Foreign Ministry condemned the use of anti-personnel mines 'in the strongest terms,' describing it as 'a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand and an outright breach of principles that are fundamental to international law.' Cambodia has denied that laying any new landmines along the border, arguing that many unexploded mines and other ordnance remain from the country's long civil war, which ended only in 1998. More than 65,000 people have been injured or killed by landmines in Cambodia since 1979, according to the HALO Trust, 18,800 of whom were killed. Maly Socheata, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of National Defense, yesterday denied that Cambodai had laid any new mines and accused the Thai soldiers of straying from patrol routes that were agreed under an MoU signed in 2000. 'It is deeply regrettable that Thailand not only fails to take responsibility for its aggressive actions but also accuses Cambodia of violating international law, while Cambodia itself is an unjust victim of Thailand's violations,' she said, as per the Phnom Penh Post. In response to Thailand's diplomatic downgrade, Phnom Penh has also downgraded its relations with Bangkok to the level of second charge d'affaires, and ordered 'all other Cambodian diplomatic staff' at the Bangkok embassy to return home. The Cambodian government made a similar denial following the July 16 explosion, describing the Thai accusations as 'baseless' and adding that it was fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement banning antipersonnel landmines. Both Cambodia and Thailand are signatories of the treaty. The landmine incidents have intensified further the border dispute that has simmered since an armed clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on May 18, which left one Cambodian soldier dead. Since then, relations have fallen to their lowest point since the dispute over Preah Vihear temple in 2008-2011. Most land border crossings have since been closed; Cambodia has cut blocking imports of Thai fuel, fruit and vegetables, and cut internet and phone connections with Thailand, while Thai police have begun investigating a prominent Cambodian tycoon with alleged links to large-scale online scamming operations. The new dispute has also had domestic political ructions within Thailand, after the leak of a phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's influential former leader, Hun Sen, last month. The leak has led the Constitutional Court to suspend Paetongtarn from office pending an investigation into her conduct during the call, in which she accused the head of the Second Army Region of being aligned with her political opponents. The downgrade in relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh suggests that the border dispute has now gained a momentum that is beyond the possibility of either side to arrest in the short-term. While there is still some scope for avoiding war, the crisis now seems more serious and protracted than it appeared two months ago.
TimesLIVE
22-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Landmine dispute escalates tensions between Thailand and Cambodia
The country is littered with landmines laid during decades of war. 'The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically denies the baseless and unfounded allegations,' the ministry said. It added the country was fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement banning anti-personnel landmines. On Monday, the Thai army said 10 freshly laid Russian-made PMN-2 type landmines, which are not used or stockpiled by Thailand, were found between July 18 and 20 in areas near where the soldiers were injured. 'This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand and an outright breach of principles that are fundamental to international law,' Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson for the Thai foreign ministry, said on Monday in Bangkok. Figures from the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, which estimates there are four to six million landmines scattered across the country, show five people were killed and a dozen injured by mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia in the first four months of 2025. The area where the Thai soldiers were injured is near where a Cambodian soldier was killed in May after a brief exchange of gunfire between troops on the two sides. The shooting has since flared into a broader diplomatic dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours that has destabilised the Thai government and seen the prime minister suspended from office. Thailand said it will issue a formal condemnation and call for accountability from Cambodia for breaching the landmine treaty, and the army will increase vigilance during border patrols. Cambodia said the landmine incident showed the need for the two countries to settle the border dispute at the International Court of Justice. Bangkok has previously said it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction on the issue and prefers to settle the dispute through bilateral mechanisms.
