The Ministry of National Defence has confirmed a landmine explosion at a minefield near Chouk Chey village, O Beichoan commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
A Chinese man was reportedly injured in the explosion, which took place in the early hours of November 29, as he attempted to cross the border from Thailand into Cambodia.
In a press release issued today, November 30, defence ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata explained that Cambodian troops from Military Region 5 heard the explosion at 3.20am. She noted that the incident occurred within a field of old unexploded mines that are remnants from the war era many years ago.
According to Thai media reports, the victim was identified as Shi Jingui, 25. The Cambodian Ministry of Interior has confirmed that this name does not appear in the General Department of Immigration’s data system which records travellers entering or exiting Cambodia.
The Thai military acknowledges that many mines remain along the Cambodian-Thai border. However, a Thai military spokesperson accused Cambodia of failing to cooperate in mine clearance operations and alleged that the mine was freshly laid by Cambodian forces to obstruct Thai officials.
This accusation was rejected by the defence ministry.
“The defence ministry wishes to emphasise that Cambodia respects and implements international law and has never planted new mines,” said Socheata.
“Furthermore, Cambodia has not only made great efforts to clear mines left over from the war to protect the lives and safety of citizens and promote socio-economic development, but has also actively participated in demining operations under the umbrella of the UN,” she added.
She noted that working groups from the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and their Thai counterparts at TMAC have conducted assessment studies and are discussing priority areas for future demining operations.
Cambodia urged the Thai side to strictly implement the agreements already reached by both parties, whereby humanitarian demining along the border must be conducted through the JCTF and in accordance with the agreed SOP.
“Cambodia remains committed to promoting peace, stability and good neighbourliness with Thailand, and to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. We also strictly adhere to the Joint Statement on Peace between Cambodia and Thailand, signed on October 26,” said Socheata.
