Bangkok: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Ottawa's partner countries to discuss Thailand's concerns over Cambodia's participation in mine clearance. Within the past month, Thai soldiers have encountered five new landmines, which have been confirmed as recently planted rather than remnants from past conflicts. Thailand is committed to resolving border issues through bilateral mechanisms and has called for an end to the dissemination of false information.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorndej Plankul, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, briefed diplomats, international organizations, and civil society groups on the recent developments. The main objective was to provide facts concerning the alleged planting of anti-personnel mines by Cambodia along the Thai-Cambodian border, which has resulted in injuries to Thai soldiers and threatens the safety of local residents. The briefing also sought to clarify Thailand's response and actions. Attendees included representatives from ASEAN member states, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) states, and mine clearance organizations, totaling 67 participants from 41 countries and several organizations.
Mr. Nikorndej reported that Mr. Maris Sngiampong, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the meeting via video, as he was attending the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in China. Following this, presentations were made by Mr. Rasm Chalichan, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other key officials. The purpose of these proceedings was to inform the international community about Cambodia's alleged violations of the Ottawa Convention and their lack of commitment to demining efforts, despite Thailand's repeated proposals for joint initiatives.
During the briefing, it was reiterated that Thailand remains committed to adhering to international law and the Ottawa Convention, having already cleared over 99.5% of its mined land. Thai officials emphasized that the mines currently found are new and not remnants from previous conflicts. Thailand has formally protested Cambodia's actions through various international channels and called for sincere cooperation in mine clearance to ensure the safety of border residents.
Thailand has proposed collaborative efforts with Cambodia to address mine clearance and tackle online fraud, but these proposals have yet to be acknowledged. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to arrange a visit for diplomats and international media to observe the impact of landmines in Sisaket Province, aiming to gather empirical evidence and encourage Cambodia to fulfill its responsibilities under the Ottawa Convention.
The Thai government continues to advocate for peaceful resolution through existing bilateral frameworks and urges Cambodia to cease the spread of misinformation, which exacerbates tensions. Thailand has also petitioned the UN Secretary-General to prompt Cambodia for a factual clarification of the situation, hoping for a resolution ahead of the next Ottawa Convention meeting in December.