BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai Ministry of Defence has released new video evidence showing Cambodian soldiers collecting old landmines and replanting them on Thai territory, in clear violation of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration.
Since 16 July 2025, Thai forces have encountered landmines on seven occasions along patrol routes near the border, resulting in 20 Thai soldiers injured, including seven amputations and 13 concussive injuries. The latest incident occurred on 10 November in a routine Thai patrol area near Huai Tamalia and Phu Ma Kuea, where mines were deliberately planted in clusters targeting life. Thai authorities emphasized that the mines were new, with sharp inscriptions and placed in bare soil, confirming they were not remnants from previous conflicts.
The Thai Ministry of Defence reaffirmed that Thailand has not stockpiled anti-personnel mines since August 2019, and has no mines in possession for research purposes.
Following clashes and mine-clearance operations, Thai forces recovered mobile phones containing video evidence of Cambodian soldiers collecting and replanting mines, including PMN-2 and 72B anti-personnel types, which were verified by Thailand’s Forensic Institute. The phones were registered in Cambodia, and the personnel seen in the footage were previously on joint patrols with Thai soldiers.
In response, Thailand will suspend actions under the Joint Declaration, including the withdrawal of heavy arms, until Cambodian aggression ceases. Mine clearance operations on Thai soil will continue, prioritizing 13 of 64 identified high-risk areas, with five designated as pilot zones: Ban Nong Jan, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Ban Chamrak, Chong Woe, and Sai Tho 10. Release of prisoners of war will be considered only after Cambodia ends hostile acts.
The Thai military stressed that these measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians in border areas while maintaining Thailand’s sovereignty.
