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Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thai govt targets Cambodia's landmine claims
The government is expected on Monday to finalise retaliatory responses to a recent landmine explosion in the Chong Bok border area of Ubon Ratchathani, near Cambodia, which left three Thai soldiers injured. Members of the government's ad hoc centre for the Thailand-Cambodia border, which includes officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various national security agencies, will meet at the National Security Council office today to formalise an official response, said R Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, its spokesman, on Sunday. The centre on Sunday held a closed-door meeting to discuss an initial course of action based on findings from the Second Army Region, which confirmed the explosion came from a newly planted landmine, he said. The landmines issue was yesterday subject to a heated back and forth between the Cambodia Mine Action Centre and the Thai army. Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, in an article by the Phnom Penh Post, dismissed speculation the mine had been planted by Cambodia. In the article, he referred to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), which was ratified by Cambodia. "As for possible newly laid mines in Thailand, there have been a number of social media claims that the Thai military placed them," he said, as quoted by the newspaper. "There appears to be no proof that Thai authorities or demining NGOs have attempted to conduct a thorough investigation," he added. In response, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), rejected the remarks by Heng Ratana, describing the claims as false, misleading and damaging to bilateral relations. Mr Heng Ratana also claimed to have photo and video evidence suggesting Thai troops had laid new landmines near the border, Maj Gen Winthai said. The landmines discovered near the Chong Bok border area and other locations were identified as PMN-2 anti-personnel mines manufactured in Russia, which the Thai army has never possessed, procured nor used in any military operations, especially in border areas, he said. The images and video clips, which were published by Cambodia's Fresh News outlet, he said, actually originated from training or clearance operations conducted by Thailand's Humanitarian Mine Action Center, not from active mine deployment. "The presentation of such information constitutes a distortion of facts and causes serious damage to Thailand," said Maj Gen Winthai. Mr Heng Ratana's claim the landmines were found on Thai territory, which therefore placed responsibility on Thailand under Article 5 of the 1997 Ottawa Convention -- which says a sovereign state is responsible for mine clearance within its territory -- only reinforces the fact that the mines were located within Thailand's sovereign domain, said the RTA spokesman. This, in turn, suggests an act of cross-border intrusion, with landmines being secretly planted on Thai soil, said Maj Gen Winthai, who also pointed out inconsistencies in Cambodia's own official statements. Lt Gen Malis Sophat, spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense, said a Thai soldier had stepped on a landmine inside Cambodian territory, which directly contradicts Mr Heng Ratana's assertion the mines were found within Thailand and were therefore the responsibility of Thai forces, according to Maj Gen Winthai. "The conflicting statements made by Cambodian officials reflect inconsistencies in their narrative and suggest a failed attempt to distort the facts, ultimately forcing them to backtrack on their own claims," said Maj Gen Winthai. He said Thailand strictly adheres to international humanitarian law and called on Cambodia to immediately cease spreading disinformation. "This could strain diplomatic relations and mislead the international community," he warned. In another development, members of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, the Dharma Army and the People's Centre for the Protection of the Monarchy, yesterday marched from their rally site at Chamai Maruchet Bridge to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, protesting against Wednesday's landmine incident. At the embassy, protesters delivered speeches from a loudspeaker truck, waved Thai national flags and condemned Cambodia over what they believed to be the planting of new landmines. The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military, is currently considering filing a formal complaint with the United Nations over Cambodia's alleged violation of the Ottawa Convention, said Danuporn Punnakanta, spokesman for the ruling Pheu Thai Party. This step is part of the ongoing process, with Thai authorities affirming that the landmines were newly planted by the other party, said the party spokesman. He added, however, that the government remains committed to resolving the border conflict through peaceful means in pursuit of lasting peace.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Govt targets landmine claims
The government is expected on Monday to finalise retaliatory responses to a recent landmine explosion in the Chong Bok border area of Ubon Ratchathani, near Cambodia, which left three Thai soldiers injured. Members of the government's ad hoc centre for the Thailand-Cambodia border, which includes officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various national security agencies, will meet at the National Security Council office today to formalise an official response, said R Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, its spokesman, on Sunday. The centre on Sunday held a closed-door meeting to discuss an initial course of action based on findings from the Second Army Region, which confirmed the explosion came from a newly planted landmine, he said. The landmines issue was yesterday subject to a heated back and forth between the Cambodia Mine Action Centre and the Thai army. Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, in an article by the Phnom Penh Post, dismissed speculation the mine had been planted by Cambodia. In the article, he referred to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), which was ratified by Cambodia. "As for possible newly laid mines in Thailand, there have been a number of social media claims that the Thai military placed them," he said, as quoted by the newspaper. "There appears to be no proof that Thai authorities or demining NGOs have attempted to conduct a thorough investigation," he added. In response, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), rejected the remarks by Heng Ratana, describing the claims as false, misleading and damaging to bilateral relations. Mr Heng Ratana also claimed to have photo and video evidence suggesting Thai troops had laid new landmines near the border, Maj Gen Winthai said. The landmines discovered near the Chong Bok border area and other locations were identified as PMN-2 anti-personnel mines manufactured in Russia, which the Thai army has never possessed, procured nor used in any military operations, especially in border areas, he said. The images and video clips, which were published by Cambodia's Fresh News outlet, he said, actually originated from training or clearance operations conducted by Thailand's Humanitarian Mine Action Center, not from active mine deployment. "The presentation of such information constitutes a distortion of facts and causes serious damage to Thailand," said Maj Gen Winthai. Mr Heng Ratana's claim the landmines were found on Thai territory, which therefore placed responsibility on Thailand under Article 5 of the 1997 Ottawa Convention -- which says a sovereign state is responsible for mine clearance within its territory -- only reinforces the fact that the mines were located within Thailand's sovereign domain, said the RTA spokesman. This, in turn, suggests an act of cross-border intrusion, with landmines being secretly planted on Thai soil, said Maj Gen Winthai, who also pointed out inconsistencies in Cambodia's own official statements. Lt Gen Malis Sophat, spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense, said a Thai soldier had stepped on a landmine inside Cambodian territory, which directly contradicts Mr Heng Ratana's assertion the mines were found within Thailand and were therefore the responsibility of Thai forces, according to Maj Gen Winthai. "The conflicting statements made by Cambodian officials reflect inconsistencies in their narrative and suggest a failed attempt to distort the facts, ultimately forcing them to backtrack on their own claims," said Maj Gen Winthai. He said Thailand strictly adheres to international humanitarian law and called on Cambodia to immediately cease spreading disinformation. "This could strain diplomatic relations and mislead the international community," he warned. In another development, members of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, the Dharma Army and the People's Centre for the Protection of the Monarchy, yesterday marched from their rally site at Chamai Maruchet Bridge to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, protesting against Wednesday's landmine incident. At the embassy, protesters delivered speeches from a loudspeaker truck, waved Thai national flags and condemned Cambodia over what they believed to be the planting of new landmines. The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military, is currently considering filing a formal complaint with the United Nations over Cambodia's alleged violation of the Ottawa Convention, said Danuporn Punnakanta, spokesman for the ruling Pheu Thai Party. This step is part of the ongoing process, with Thai authorities affirming that the landmines were newly planted by the other party, said the party spokesman. He added, however, that the government remains committed to resolving the border conflict through peaceful means in pursuit of lasting peace.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Dig deep in mine case
A landmine explosion that injured three soldiers, one of whom had his foot blown off, while patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border in Ubon Ratchathani province requires a thorough and transparent investigation. The incident that took place on Wednesday afternoon near Hill 481 in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen district saw Private Thanapat Huiwan lose his foot. Two other soldiers suffered chest pain. All three are now in safe condition. The incident poses a risk to fragile bilateral ties with Cambodia, which may consequently go from bad to worse. It is worrying that some political groups have jumped to the conclusion that the neighbouring country was responsible, given the proximity to the border. Activists cite the type of landmine, a Russian-made PMN-2 that is known as a cheap and very difficult to detect, to support their claim. However, it's far too soon to be pointing fingers. Phnom Penh immediately distanced itself from the incident. Heng Ratana, chief of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), said, "If the incident was within Thailand's territorial jurisdiction or control, then Thailand would know best about it." Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit, who visited the injured soldiers in Ubon Ratchathani province yesterday, dismissed earlier reports which quoted military sources suggesting the mine was newly planted, not a war remnant. The minister asked for more time to investigate and verify. This stance is more than welcome. More importantly, the government must do its best in preventing any elements from politicising the incident, which will likely see the two sides trade blame. A similar landmine incident in 2008 at Phu Makheua, when tensions peaked, followed by open armed conflict, caused losses on both sides. Let's hope those involved learn their lesson from this chapter of history and see peace as the first option. It should be noted that Thailand's demining mission has been a great success. Most of the border areas are now mine-free. Mine-infested areas have been reduced to around 20 square kilometres across the country. It's unfortunate that border disputes with Cambodia pose an obstacle to the mine-free goal. In 2022, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government made a goodwill gesture, proposing that demining activity should be carried out regardless of overlapping borders to ensure safety for those living along the border. While Cambodia agreed in principle, it has barely made any contributions to this proposal that would see it translate into concrete action with positive results. In 2024, Cambodia threw cold water on another proposal that aimed to set up 10 pilot areas for de-mining without concerns regarding the border tensions. It's a missed opportunity for the two countries, which are signatories to the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use of anti-personnel landmines. Thailand must prove, and present solid evidence, that it adheres strictly to the treaty. Back to Gen Nattaphon's investigation plan, the government must ensure transparency and straightforwardness, and that there is no foul play.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
MFA to lodge complaint
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is preparing to lodge a formal protest against Cambodia after three Thai soldiers were injured by an anti-personnel landmine near the Thai-Cambodian border in what may be a breach of the Ottawa Convention. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said the army is investigating whether the mine was a newly planted device or a remnant, with the result expected within days or early next week. If it is confirmed to be a new landmine, the army will raise the issue with its Cambodian counterpart while the MFA will proceed through proper channels in accordance with the Ottawa Convention and other frameworks such as the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border demarcation, he said. Both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, which officially prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines. Cambodia ratified it in 1997, while Thailand ratified it in 1999. The incident occurred on Wednesday near Hill 481 in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district. According to the Second Army Region, a group of soldiers was patrolling in the area when one of them stepped on a mine, causing an explosion that injured three of them. Pvt Thanapat Huiwan, whose left foot was severed at the ankle, underwent an operation and is now in a safe condition. The other two soldiers, Sgt Patiphant Srilasak and Pvt Nathawut Srikhem, suffered chest pains. Military sources said that subsequent searches in the area also revealed three more mines identified as Russian-made PMN-2, and photographic evidence indicated these mines were planted recently. The Second Army Region yesterday dispatched bomb disposal and forensic teams to inspect the area and gather more evidence. Prior to Wednesday's incident, anti-personnel landmines and various types of ordnance were discovered during June 10-July 15 as troops from the engineering corps undertook clearance operations to make patrol routes. They included POMZ, M14 and M16 anti-personnel landmines, RPG rounds, M203 grenades, mortar shells and parts of the TM57 anti-tank device. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree on Friday denied suggestions made by some Cambodian media that the mine might have been planted by the Thai side, saying the military never had or procured PMN-2 mines. He said the army will verify the type of mine and respond officially once the facts are established. Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) director-general Heng Ratana posted on social media that Thai officials have made differing claims for the July 16 mine explosion, with some saying it was the remnant of war and others claiming it was a new device. "A few reporters requested my comments, I just returned questions to them by advising them to verify whether the location of the incident occurred in Thailand or Cambodia. If the incident was in Thailand's territorial jurisdiction or control, thus Thailand knows about it," Heng Ratana wrote in a Facebook post. Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit on Friday acknowledged the possibility that the landmine could be new but noted that an investigation is required to determine it. He was speaking ahead of his trip to Ubon Ratchathani to visit and extend moral support to the injured soldiers. Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is suspended from her duties as PM, also joined the trip. RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Centre, said yesterday the injured soldiers will receive full benefits.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Anti-tank mine blast kills tractor driver in western Cambodia: official
FILE PHOTO: This photo taken on February 11, 2025 shows a deminer from the Cambodian Mine Action Centre examining an unexploded ordnance that was unearthed by a worker during irrigation work in Svay Rieng province. - AFP PHNOM PENH: A war-left anti-tank mine exploded on Tuesday (June 10), killing the driver of a tractor in western Cambodia's Pailin province, a mine clearance chief said. Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, said the explosion happened at a date farm in O Dey Sa'eth village of Sala Krau district's Stueng Trang commune when the ill-fated man was operating a power tiller to plough a field for growing dates. He said the tractor accidentally ran over the anti-tank landmine, triggering the explosion. "The explosive remnants of war (ERWs) still continue to pose threats to the happiness and safety of the people, although the war has ended for more than 25 years," Ratana wrote in a Facebook post. Cambodia is one of the countries worst affected by landmines and ERWs. An estimated four to six million landmines and other munitions had been left over from three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998. According to Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the United States dropped some 230,516 bombs on 113,716 sites in Cambodia. A Cambodian official report showed that from 1979 to April 2025, landmine and ERW explosions had claimed 19,840 lives and maimed 45,264 others. The South-East Asian country is committed to clearing all types of landmines and ERWs by 2030. - Xinhua
