The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has dismissed allegations by the Thai army that a newly planted landmine caused the recent injury of a Chinese national along the Cambodia–Thailand border, insisting the blast occurred inside Cambodian territory within an old, well-documented minefield.
The incident took place on November 29, when Shi Jingui, a Chinese national carrying passport number 2356975263, attempted to cross from Thailand into Cambodia near Chouk Chey village in O’Bei Choan commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
According to the CMAA, the area is “a known minefield contaminated with old landmines remaining from decades of past conflict”.
In a strongly worded November 30 statement, the said the Thai army’s suggestion that the blast came from newly deployed mines was “inaccurate, politically motivated and inconsistent with established facts”.
“Cambodia categorically rejects the allegations made in the recent public communication by the Royal Thai Army,” it said.
“These claims are inaccurate, politically motivated and inconsistent with Cambodia’s decades-long record of commitment to a mine-free border,” it continued.
The CMAA reiterated that Cambodia has not laid any new landmines “not now, not in the past decades, and not under any circumstances”, stressing that the country is a committed party to the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.
“If the mines were indeed newly emplaced, as claimed by Thailand, the question is simple: Since Cambodia does not possess or deploy landmines, who is responsible for laying them? Cambodia cannot answer this question for Thailand,” it said.
The authority said no investigation findings have been shared with Phnom Penh through official channels, regionally or internationally.
It criticised Bangkok for releasing accusations publicly without presenting evidence.
“No investigation results have been shared with Cambodia, ASEAN or any international mechanism,” CMAA noted.
“If Thailand possesses verified evidence, it must be transmitted through official, professional channels, not via public statements or social media,” it added.
While expressing sympathy to the injured Chinese national and wishing him a full recovery, Cambodia insisted it would not accept what it called “fabricated narratives” or attempts to distort its demining record.
“Cambodia expresses regret for any injury to any person, regardless of nationality; however, we will not accept false accusations, will not accept fabricated narratives and will not accept the distortion of Cambodia’s decades-long commitment to a mine-free future,” it stated.
Phnom Penh called for a joint, independent investigation to clarify the circumstances of the blast and urged all parties to maintain professionalism to avoid escalating tensions.
Cambodia said it remains committed to evidence-based cooperation and peaceful border management “grounded in international law”.
