Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Says Thai Soldiers Stepped on Old Landmines, No New Ones Found

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Nov.14,2025) — Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Thursday that ASEAN observer teams have confirmed no new landmines were found along the Cambodia-Thailand border, countering Bangkok’s claims that Cambodia had planted fresh explosives.

Hasan said Malaysia is prepared to facilitate talks between the two neighbors to preserve a ceasefire agreement signed earlier this year amid renewed border tensions.

“The talks are expected to be held soon, after discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” Hasan told reporters. “Malaysia stands ready to help both parties reach a peaceful solution.”

He added that Malaysia could host the meeting, noting that both sides have lost confidence in each other. Cambodia has requested Kuala Lumpur as the venue, while Thailand has asked Malaysia to continue efforts to uphold the truce.

“We regret and are saddened by this development,” Hasan said.

The tensions follow the Kuala Lumpur peace accord signed by Cambodian and Thai leaders during the 47th ASEAN Summit, which initially raised hopes of easing long-standing border disputes.

Hasan spoke after presenting Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 examination kits and laptops to about 1,000 students in his Rembau constituency.

Thailand suspended the ceasefire after several of its soldiers were injured by landmines during patrols. Cambodian officials insist the mines were remnants of past conflicts.

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority dismissed Thai media reports alleging new mines were planted, calling the claims “unfounded and defamatory.”

It warned such allegations could undermine the work of the Joint Coordinating Task Force, a bilateral mechanism for humanitarian demining and confidence-building.

The authority reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, saying the country “has never used and will never use new anti-personnel mines under any circumstances.”