Trat: Cambodian troops are reinforcing their ranks, hoping to reclaim the area surrounding the three houses. Entering its 12th day, gunfire continues on both the southern Isaan and eastern fronts. In Trat province, Cambodia has reinforced its forces, hoping to retake three houses. During the clearing of the three houses, a large cache of weapons, including anti-personnel landmines, was discovered, clearly indicating Cambodia's violation of the Ottawa Convention.
According to Thai News Agency, along the border in Trat province, since around 5 AM, at least 10 artillery rounds were heard. The shells landed near the Ban Sam Lang area, Nong Ri village, Chamrak subdistrict. Captain Thammanoon Wanna, commander of the Marine Corps Task Force in Trat province, revealed that Thai soldiers stationed there detected a large influx of Cambodian troops reinforcing their position and attempting to retake the Ban Sam Lang area. Thai forces retaliated with artillery fire, forcing the Cambodian troops to retreat. The Marines have deployed troops along the entire defensive line and will resolve any further encroachment by Cambodian forces into the Ban Sam Lang area within the next 2-3 days.
The incident has escalated tensions, as the three houses, initially found to be laden with weapons, were identified as a Cambodian bunker base. While clearing the area after the Marines successfully recaptured it on December 17th, the Army Military Force Facebook page revealed numerous additional seized weapons, identified as Chinese-made. These included a PF-89 anti-tank rocket launcher, a Type 69 RPG rocket launcher, RPG rockets, recoilless rifle ammunition magazines, an FPV suicide drone equipped with RPG rockets, mortar rounds, and anti-personnel mines. Furthermore, there were reports of explosive devices being planted around the base, intended to harm Thai forces if they attacked, but these were not completed before the Thai forces launched a surprise attack.
Additionally, Cambodian military bunkers were found to be constructed with durable sandbag and cement structures, along with mine shelters, reflecting long-term preparations for potential war. The Royal Thai Navy points to evidence implicating Cambodia in possessing a stockpile of modified explosive devices and a course teaching landmine handling.
Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, explained that after the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Protection Command took control and reclaimed the area around Ban Nong Ri, which was formerly a Cambodian military stronghold, the clearing operation discovered a stockpile of 16 anti-personnel mines, modified from anti-tank mines, in a ready-to-use condition. This is considered equipment intentionally designed to create indiscriminate danger and poses a serious threat to both military personnel and civilians.
In addition, officials inspected the Phluk Dramrey base (Three Houses area) and seized Cambodian military documents. These documents contained records of trainees using PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, with the training date set for October 7, 2024. This document is considered crucial evidence indicating that Cambodia has been systematically and continuously training its personnel in the use of anti-personnel mines. This is not an accidental act, but a clear demonstration of an intention to use "anti-personnel mine warfare" against Thailand. It constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and contradicts several international obligations, particularly the Ottawa Convention and the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. Not only does it violate international obligations, but it also reflects a disregard for fundamental humanitarian principles. The Royal Thai Navy strongly condemns Cambodia's actions and demands that Cambodia immediately cease its violations of international law.