RTA spokesman says Cambodia tacitly conceded landmine attacks against Thailand
Thai army accuses Cambodia of tacitly admitting landmine use after rejecting demining proposal at border talks
Royal Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree on Sunday alleged that Cambodia’s Defence Ministry had tacitly admitted to using landmines against Thailand through remarks made by its spokeswoman.
Winthai was referring to a statement on Saturday by Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata, who said Cambodia would support Thailand’s operations to clear landmines along the border only after the ceasefire had been fully enforced without violations.
Dispute during RBC meeting
During the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting on Saturday between Thai and Cambodian regional army leaders, Thailand proposed that Cambodia support demining efforts. However, the Cambodian side declined, with Socheata later stating that the RBC had no authority to make such a decision, which must instead be determined at the General Border Committee level.
Landmines as intimidation
Winthai argued that Socheata’s remarks — that demining could only begin after the ceasefire was fully observed — implied Cambodia admitted it was still deploying landmines to intimidate Thailand. He said Thailand had already observed the ceasefire, but Cambodian troops continued to carry out stealth attacks using landmines, preventing the conditions from being met.
Evidence of landmine use
Winthai said there was clear evidence proving Cambodia’s unilateral use of landmines against Thailand. He added that while Cambodia had received significant international funding for mine clearance, it continued to ignore Thailand’s repeated calls to begin demining operations.
