Cambodia denies reports of new landmines along Thai border

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.12, 2025) — The Cambodian government has dismissed reports from Thai media alleging that new landmines were planted along the Cambodia-Thailand border, calling the claims “unfounded and defamatory.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) said the allegations surfaced amid Cambodia’s intensified efforts to clear existing landmines and support affected communities.

The government warned that such reports could jeopardize the work of the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF), a bilateral mechanism established to promote humanitarian demining and foster trust between the two countries.

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

The statement followed a Nov. 10 incident in which two Thai soldiers were injured by an explosion near the border. Cambodia urged Thailand not to use the incident to suspend a joint declaration signed on Oct. 26 aimed at enhancing cross-border cooperation.

Ahead of the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention in Geneva, Cambodia called on Thailand and other signatories to uphold the principles of dialogue, humanitarian cooperation, and respect for international law in pursuit of a mine-free world.