Thailand Submits Detailed Claim of New Cambodian-Laid Mines as Treaty Meeting Opens in Geneva
Bangkok delivers video, photo and forensic evidence alleging fresh PMN-2 mines inside Thai territory at the Ottawa Convention gathering
Thailand has formally presented what it describes as compelling evidence that anti-personnel mines were newly planted by Cambodian forces on Thai soil — a claim at the centre of growing tensions as the annual meeting of the states party to the Ottawa Convention begins in Geneva.
Bangkok’s submission, shared with international partners and the Convention’s compliance body, includes time-stamped video, photographic, and forensic data that it says proves the mines were deployed recently and in breach of treaty obligations.
The records, released by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), identify the mines as PMN-2 anti-personnel devices — a type Thailand eliminated from its own arsenal in 2003 and formally destroyed all retained mines by 2019. According to Thailand’s report, the triggering incidents date from July 16 to July 24, 2025, during which multiple landmine blasts wounded Thai soldiers along the border in Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand submitted official complaints under the Convention’s compliance mechanism and elevated the matter to the United Nations.
Thai defence and diplomatic officials argue the newly discovered mines — found buried just inside Thailand’s sovereign territory — represent a clear violation of the Convention’s prohibitions on the use, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The evidence reportedly includes a mobile phone recovered from the site, containing images and metadata showing Cambodian troops laying mines west of Hill 350 near the Ta Kwai temple, along with forensic analysis of the explosive ordnance disposal findings.
Thailand’s notification arrives at a sensitive moment, as many treaty parties meet to assess global adherence while several European countries consider withdrawing from the Convention amid renewed security concerns.
By forwarding its evidence, Thailand seeks not only condemnation of the alleged violation but also concrete enforcement action.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) strongly rejects the accusations, describing them as unfounded and lacking credible proof.
In a virtual meeting with the Convention’s president and compliance committee, CMAA officials reaffirmed Cambodia’s long-standing commitment to mine action, pointing to years of demining efforts that converted former conflict zones into safe areas.
They stressed that no new mines have been produced, stockpiled, or deployed.
Cambodia’s denial has not halted Thailand’s diplomatic pressure.
The Thai government has urged the Convention’s leadership and its member states to take up the case formally, while detailing that all previous Thai mine stockpiles were destroyed years ago and that any mines now discovered on Thai territory must have come from the Cambodian side.
As the Geneva gathering unfolds, Bangkok is calling for swift accountability and enforcement, underscoring that any fresh mine deployment represents a grave breach of both the Convention and Thailand’s sovereignty.
Bangkok’s submission, shared with international partners and the Convention’s compliance body, includes time-stamped video, photographic, and forensic data that it says proves the mines were deployed recently and in breach of treaty obligations.
The records, released by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), identify the mines as PMN-2 anti-personnel devices — a type Thailand eliminated from its own arsenal in 2003 and formally destroyed all retained mines by 2019. According to Thailand’s report, the triggering incidents date from July 16 to July 24, 2025, during which multiple landmine blasts wounded Thai soldiers along the border in Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand submitted official complaints under the Convention’s compliance mechanism and elevated the matter to the United Nations.
Thai defence and diplomatic officials argue the newly discovered mines — found buried just inside Thailand’s sovereign territory — represent a clear violation of the Convention’s prohibitions on the use, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The evidence reportedly includes a mobile phone recovered from the site, containing images and metadata showing Cambodian troops laying mines west of Hill 350 near the Ta Kwai temple, along with forensic analysis of the explosive ordnance disposal findings.
Thailand’s notification arrives at a sensitive moment, as many treaty parties meet to assess global adherence while several European countries consider withdrawing from the Convention amid renewed security concerns.
By forwarding its evidence, Thailand seeks not only condemnation of the alleged violation but also concrete enforcement action.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) strongly rejects the accusations, describing them as unfounded and lacking credible proof.
In a virtual meeting with the Convention’s president and compliance committee, CMAA officials reaffirmed Cambodia’s long-standing commitment to mine action, pointing to years of demining efforts that converted former conflict zones into safe areas.
They stressed that no new mines have been produced, stockpiled, or deployed.
Cambodia’s denial has not halted Thailand’s diplomatic pressure.
The Thai government has urged the Convention’s leadership and its member states to take up the case formally, while detailing that all previous Thai mine stockpiles were destroyed years ago and that any mines now discovered on Thai territory must have come from the Cambodian side.
As the Geneva gathering unfolds, Bangkok is calling for swift accountability and enforcement, underscoring that any fresh mine deployment represents a grave breach of both the Convention and Thailand’s sovereignty.
