BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Army has rejected claims by Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), that Thailand staged evidence of landmines along the border. Heng argued that a PMN-2 mine displayed by Thailand could not have been planted because its safety pin was still intact. Thai officials said the remarks were misleading and intended to cast doubt on evidence that had already been inspected by diplomats and international representatives.
Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suwaree explained that the mine in question was among those uncovered during clearance operations on August 4 in the Phu Makhua area of Sisaket province, where Cambodian troops had previously been stationed. Engineers discovered large numbers of PMN-2 mines at the site, some already deployed with safety pins removed and others undeployed and still in storage, which accounted for photographs showing pins intact.
On August 16, Thailand presented both types of mines for direct inspection by diplomats and journalists. Officials said this was to give a complete account of the findings and ensure that all evidence was shown transparently.
Maj Gen Winthai stressed that the images circulated by Heng represented only part of the evidence and excluded the broader set of findings shared with the international delegation. He said the selective use of images was meant to cause confusion and undermine Thailand’s credibility.
The Army said such tactics would not succeed, as international representatives had already examined the mines in person and received full briefings. According to Thai officials, these inspections provided a clear understanding of the situation and reinforced Thailand’s position that Cambodia planted new mines in violation of the Ottawa Convention. (NNT)
