GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Thailand and Cambodia carried their escalating landmine dispute onto the global stage as Bangkok pushed for a UN-led investigation into alleged new mines on their shared border.
Thailand alleges fresh mines and grave injuries
In an emotional address to the meeting of states parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Treaty) in Geneva, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow set out serious accusations against Cambodia. Since July 2025, 18 Thai soldiers had reportedly been injured by landmines along the frontier, seven of whom lost limbs. A Chinese civilian who crossed the border also lost a leg.
“I have the duty to speak for the Thai people.”
said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, foreign minister.
Evidence presented to Ottawa Treaty states
Sihasak told delegates that Thailand had presented what it considered concrete evidence to support its claims. An independent ASEAN observer team composed of senior military officers had verified the allegations, according to Bangkok. Video footage and the mine types identified as PMN-2 were said to show that the devices were freshly laid and had been placed by Cambodian soldiers.
Thailand argued that this constituted a clear breach of the Ottawa Treaty, which both countries had signed. It had therefore invoked Article 8 of the convention to seek clarification of the case through formal procedures.
Cambodia hits back at ‘unsubstantiated’ claims
The Cambodian delegation, led by Minister Ly Thuc, responded immediately and forcefully to the accusations. The claims were described as “unverified and unsubstantiated”, and Phnom Penh asserted that Thailand was not acting in good faith and was seeking confrontation. Cambodia argued that Bangkok’s recourse to Article 8.2 showed an attempt to bypass the direct dialogue foreseen under Article 8.1.
“This shortcut demonstrates neither good faith nor honesty.”
said Ly Thuc, Cambodian minister.
He insisted that Cambodia had not laid a single mine since joining the treaty in 1999.
Call for independent UN fact-finding mission
Amid the sharply conflicting narratives, Thailand requested what it called the ultimate instance: an independent UN fact-finding mission.
“If a state party can lay new mines and simply deny it, without consequences – what happens after the next victim?”
said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, addressing the assembly.
He stressed that Thailand was not seeking a unilateral advantage, but wanted to depoliticise the matter and resolve it through the treaty’s mechanisms.
Border tensions deepen, civilians fearful
The mine incidents had further poisoned the already tense atmosphere along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Local communities were reported to be living in fear amid the ongoing dispute. Bangkok called on the international community to press Phnom Penh towards what it termed honest cooperation.
“No more mines, no more victims.”
said a Thai delegation message to the meeting.
Whether the UN would agree to launch an investigation remained unclear. The case underlined how explosive the border conflict had become, extending from the mine-strewn frontier into the diplomatic arena.