BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa has announced that representatives from Ottawa Convention member states will join Thai agencies and the military this Friday (Aug 15) to discuss the next steps in addressing Cambodia’s alleged use of anti-personnel landmines along the border. The meeting follows the August 12 incident in which a Thai soldier lost limbs after stepping on a PMN-2 mine near Ta Muen Thom temple. Thailand has lodged a formal protest with Cambodia, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, and contacted Japan, the current Ottawa Convention chair, to push for urgent action.
Maris recalled earlier discussions with the UN Secretary-General, warning that repeated incidents would prompt Thailand to invoke the Ottawa Convention mechanisms for investigation. He confirmed that Thailand is supplying the requested evidence and has coordinated with Japan’s Foreign Minister, as well as officials in Malaysia and Singapore, to press Cambodia for joint mine clearance, particularly on Thai territory.
According to Maris, mine clearance talks began under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and have continued under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, but Cambodia has refused to cooperate. At the most recent General Border Committee meeting, Cambodia rejected a Thai proposal for clearance. Maris stressed that Thailand has the readiness, technology, and expertise to proceed immediately if Cambodia agrees.
Friday’s meeting in Bangkok will involve Thai military and civilian agencies, ASEAN partners, and Ottawa Convention member states to review field evidence and decide on coordinated measures. Japan, which supports mine clearance in both countries, will attend. Cambodia has declined the invitation, but Maris said Thailand will proceed to maintain both diplomatic and operational pressure.
Responding to Cambodia’s recent letter to the UN and UN Security Council accusing Thailand of violating sovereignty and the ceasefire, Maris said Cambodia provided no concrete evidence, and no meeting has been convened. He argued that Thailand has consistently briefed the UN and maintains its actions are fully in line with international law.
Speaking from the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation meeting in China, Maris said he will update participating countries on the situation as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach. He described Thailand’s foreign and defense policies as closely coordinated, with military operations conducted under the framework of international law and diplomacy reinforcing deterrence. He added that no country has condemned Thailand, and many have criticized Cambodia’s targeting of civilians, which he said bolsters Thailand’s combined diplomatic and defense stance. (NNT)
