Bangkok: Ambassadors from the Ottawa Convention are scheduled to visit the Si Sa Ket area to observe the impact of landmines in Cambodia, as announced by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs. The visit, set for tomorrow, aims to address the ongoing issues related to anti-personnel mines along the Thai-Cambodian border. The Assistant Minister expressed regret over Cambodia's lack of response regarding demining efforts and the crackdown on call centers within the General Border Committee (GBC).
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Rasme Chalichan, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, briefed diplomats from the Ottawa Convention on the situation involving Cambodia's use of anti-personnel mines. The meeting included ambassadors, interim charg© d'affaires, embassy representatives, military attach©s, and international organizations, all parties to the Ottawa Convention. Mr. Chalichan emphasized Thailand's commitment to addressing the demining issue on the Thai-Cambodian border, highlighting its importance due to security and humanitarian concerns. Despite Thailand's proposal for humanitarian demining along the border at the extraordinary GBC meeting held earlier in August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia did not accept the proposal. Thailand continues to emphasize a strict ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy for a site visit to observe areas impacted by recently planted anti-personnel mines by Cambodia. The visit will include the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit in Sisaket Province and affected areas, providing an opportunity to witness the humanitarian impacts on local communities. Additionally, the delegation will visit Ban Nong Mek in Kantharalak District, where homes were damaged by Cambodian armed attacks.
The Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs hopes this field visit will raise awareness of the humanitarian impacts of landmines, which cause indiscriminate harm. He emphasized the need for cooperation from donor and affected countries to mitigate landmine threats, ensuring the safety and development of local communities.
The Assistant Minister also reiterated the outcomes of the previous GBC meeting, where Thailand and Cambodia agreed to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and establish an Interim Observer Team (IOT) comprised of ASEAN military attaches based in both countries. These teams will monitor ceasefire implementation and coordinate with the Regional Border Committee and the General Border Committee of each country. Both nations have agreed to maintain communication channels and utilize bilateral mechanisms to prevent escalation, including the ongoing Regional Border Committee meeting.