The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has dismissed claims by a Thai defence spokesperson that Cambodia laid new landmines, resulting in injuries to Thai soldiers on July 16, July 23, August 9 and August 12.
The August 15 statement followed fresh Thai accusations that Cambodia has breached Article 1 of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention).
The CMAA noted that as a state party to the Ottawa Convention, which currently comprises 165 members, Cambodia is internationally acknowledged for its significant achievements in mine clearance.
“Despite this, Thai forces have repeatedly made accusations without presenting concrete evidence or verified investigation reports,” it added.
In response to these “baseless” claims, the CMAA has submitted an official letter to the president of the Ottawa Convention to clarify the facts and refute Thailand’s repeated false allegations that Cambodia planted new mines.
It explained that the letter summarises how Thailand has politicised the mine issue, using repeated accusations to justify military incursions into Cambodia.
It explained that in 2008, similar allegations were also made, again without clear evidence. This strategy aims to create tension and potentially justify the use of force. In this context, Cambodia emphasised that any incidents occurring on Thai territory are Thailand’s responsibility.
Cambodia firmly rejects all baseless accusations or attempts to manipulate the situation for political or military gain and that any incidents on Cambodian territory or in incompletely demarcated border areas constitute a violation by Thailand of the 2000 memorandum of understanding and the agreements reached during the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on August 7, 2025.
These areas, left with landmines from the 1970s-1980s, are currently under survey and clearance, which is complicated by difficult terrain and unresolved border issues. Cambodia rejects any false accusations or misuse of the mine issue to gain political advantage or infringe on Cambodian sovereignty.
The letter also clarified that Cambodia has not and will not use anti-personnel mines and strongly condemns the false allegations of their use as a pretext for aggression and violation of Cambodian sovereignty.
Cambodia called on all state parties to the Ottawa Convention to uphold the integrity of the convention and firmly reject baseless accusations, specifically Thailand’s claims against Cambodia. It also urged Thailand to immediately release all unlawfully detained Cambodian soldiers, as these detentions violate international law, ceasefire agreements and humanitarian principles.
It encouraged Thailand to respect the July 28 ceasefire agreement and the results of the August 7 extraordinary GBC meeting, and to stop all acts of aggression against Cambodia and support the continuation and acceleration of border demarcation in accordance with the 1904 and 1907 French-Siam treaties and the 2000 memorandum of understanding, as a foundation for peaceful resolution and safe mine clearance.
The CMAA called for Thailand to resolve disputes over the four contested border points through legal measures under the International Court of Justice, ensuring definitive, peaceful and lawful settlement, including demining.
Thailand was also urged to end the use of cluster munitions, weapons that release toxic agents, the MK series aerial bombs, and to stop detaining Cambodian soldiers, as well as all violations against detained Cambodian personnel.
