The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence has once again firmly rejected Thai accusations that Cambodian troops planed landmines near Ta Mone Temple. A Thai patrol reportedly triggered a land mine explosion this morning, August 12.
Thai media outlet Khaosod English reported that a team of Thai rangers was patrolling near the temple to “monitor and maintain security” in the area. During the patrol, a soldier stepped on a landmine. It said the Thai army believed the mine was a PMN-2, and that one of the rangers lost a leg in the explosion.
Maly Socheata, defence ministry spokesperson, categorically dismissed the “baseless” allegations against Cambodia regarding the incident.
“Cambodia maintains its firm stance that it has not and will not use or plant any new landmines. Cambodia is a proud state party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which it ratified in 1999, and has been recognised by the international community for its demining efforts at home and abroad,” she said, during an August 12 press briefing.
She noted that up to this point, no official and transparent investigation has been carried out to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
“Furthermore, Cambodia has reminded Thailand on multiple occasions that these areas still contain explosive remnants of war. In this sense, all parties should refrain from making any public conclusion before finding out the truth so as to provide justice and avoid any misunderstandings that could escalate tensions or provoke confrontation,” she added.
Socheata also called for the Thai side to respect the ceasefire agreement achieved on July 28 and the 13-point agreed minutes reached during the August 7 extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on August 7, which were observed by ASEAN chair Malaysia, as well as the US and China.
Cambodia called on Thailand to honour all terms and conditions stipulated in the ceasefire f agreement, as well as the spirit of the agreement reached during the extraordinary GBC meeting. The minutes state that both sides agreed to maintain their current troop deployments without further movement as of the ceasefire, which began at 24:00 hours (local time) on July 28.
“There shall be no troop movements including patrol towards the other side’s position,” quoted Socheata.
