Cambodia Rejects Thai Landmine Allegations, Cites Independent Verification

By Son Menea

PHNOM PENH, (Aug 27, 2025) — Cambodia has rejected accusations from Thailand that it recently planted landmines along the shared border, citing independent verification from international demining organizations that the mines discovered are remnants of past conflicts.

Chum Sounry, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that APOPO (Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product), MAG (Mines Advisory Group), and Halo Trust have confirmed the mines were not newly deployed.

The statement follows Thailand’s announcement that it plans to submit video and photographic evidence to the governing body of the Ottawa Treaty, alleging Cambodia’s violation of the international ban on anti-personnel mines.

During a press briefing on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, Sounry said the Ottawa Convention Chair and Committee members had “taken note of Cambodia’s clarifications and acknowledged its longstanding contributions to mine action.” He added that the committee encouraged both countries to pursue dialogue, uphold the ceasefire, and advance humanitarian demining efforts.

Cambodia has sent a formal letter of clarification to the president of the Ottawa Convention, reaffirming its commitment to the treaty. According to Sounry, Dara In, Cambodia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, wrote to Ichikawa Tomiko, Japan’s ambassador and president of the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, on Aug. 21. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), also held an online meeting with Ichikawa on Aug. 22.

Sounry said both the letter and the meeting conveyed Cambodia’s categorical rejection of Thailand’s claims, describing them as “baseless, politically motivated, and lacking credible evidence, attempting to undermine Cambodia’s credibility.”