Bangkok: The Royal Thai Navy has issued a strong condemnation against Cambodia, accusing the neighboring country of using landmines as a tactic to lure Thai soldiers into danger zones, a move deemed in violation of the Ottawa Convention.
According to Thai News Agency, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, the spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, denounced the actions of the Cambodian military. He highlighted that these actions are a clear breach of Cambodia's commitments under international humanitarian law and the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines.
The Chanthaburi and Trat Border Protection Command made a significant discovery during the inspection of Nong Ri and Tha Sen villages, previously occupied by Cambodian forces. They found substantial evidence of a deliberate strategy to use anti-personnel landmines. This included a map detailing the placement of such mines in the Nong Ri area, suggesting premeditated efforts to endanger Thai soldiers.
Further investigations in the Ban Tha Sen area revealed a large cache of weapons and modified anti-personnel mines, confirming the Cambodian military's exploitation of civilian zones and possession of prohibited weaponry. These actions have resulted in injuries to eight Thai soldiers, underscoring the severe violations of international humanitarian laws and the indiscriminate threat posed to both military personnel and civilians.
The Royal Thai Navy Spokesperson's Office has declared these actions as unacceptable, emphasizing that they violate the Ottawa Convention. The Navy plans to compile all evidence for further state-level actions, which includes notifying the international community and relevant organizations about Cambodia's ongoing violations.
In response to these provocations, the Royal Thai Navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and safety of its personnel and the Thai populace, pledging not to let these inhumane acts go unchallenged or misrepresented.