Latest news with #Armac
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand urges Cambodia to stop using landmines
The Thai government has urged Cambodia to stop using landmines in border areas in order to protect people, including Cambodian citizens, from further harm. Concern is growing about the number of landmines laid in border areas, as Cambodia has rejected Thailand's requests to participate in mine clearance, said Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the government's Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. 'Cambodian soldiers are laying a considerable number of landmines,' he said on Wednesday. 'Landmines threaten not only military and security personnel but also fellow citizens of both countries.' Thailand has asked the Asean Regional Mine Action Center (Armac) to support landmine clearance along the border in order to restore safety as soon as possible, he said, adding that the Armac director was a Cambodian. Thirteen Thai soldiers have been injured, with five of them each losing a leg, in five explosions of Cambodian-laid landmines since July 16. Rear Adm Surasant said Thai soldiers would use technology to protect themselves from landmines during their patrols. He also said that Cambodia was strengthening its positions along the border but the movement has happened at an acceptable distance, in compliance with the countries' ceasefire agreement.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand and Cambodia to hold border talks amid troop movements and minefield concerns
BANGKOK: Thailand's Special Task Force (STF) has announced that it will hold a series of Regional Border Committee (RBC) meetings with Cambodia this month to discuss ongoing border issues, including mine clearance. The move comes as an Asean delegation prepares to observe the border situation and a senior Thai official reveals that Cambodia's recent troop reinforcements are considered "within an acceptable range." Speaking at Government House, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Thailand-Cambodia STF, stated that the border situation has been stable despite ongoing monitoring of Cambodian forces strengthening their positions. Rear Admiral Surasant also revealed that a team of Asean military attaches, led by the Malaysian military attache to Thailand, is scheduled to visit Ubon Ratchathani province and the 2nd Army Region area on Thursday (Aug 14). The purpose of their visit is to observe the situation and assess the impact on local communities. They will present their findings the following day and discuss future plans. A key point of concern for the Thai government is the presence of a large number of landmines along the border. Rear Admiral Surasant expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from Cambodia on mine clearance efforts. To address this, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now engaging with the Asean Regional Mine Action Center (Armac), whose director is Cambodian, to urge a more sincere commitment to the mission. "Landmines are a threat not just to military personnel but also to civilians in both countries," he stressed. He further claimed that Cambodian soldiers continue to lay mines in the area. Thailand hopes to see Armac collaborate with the National Mine Action Centre (TMAC) to clear as many mines as possible and restore safety to the affected zones. The army is reportedly adjusting its patrol strategies and exploring new technologies to better detect the explosives, giving reassurance to the public. The first of the upcoming RBC meetings is scheduled for Friday (Aug 15), in Trat province, and will be hosted by the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Command. Further meetings with the 1st and 2nd Army Regions are planned for later in the month, with mine clearance high on the agenda for discussions. - The Nation/ANN
