On 24 November 2025, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters issued an announcement releasing the inspection report of the ASEAN Observer Team–Thailand (AOT-TH) regarding the incident on 10 November 2025, in which Thai soldiers stepped on landmines in the Phu Makua area, Si Sa Ket Province, resulting in injuries to personnel. The findings from the observation mission clearly confirm that the landmines discovered were newly laid PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines, and not old mines as claimed by the Cambodian military.
The AOT-TH team deployed to the site immediately after the incident. Based on assessments of soil disturbance, mine placement patterns, and burial traces, the team found that the PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines were planted during the latest round of clashes, consistent with all previous incidents throughout the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, where every PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine discovered has been newly laid—not old or residual mines, contrary to Cambodia’s repeated claims.
A joint inspection conducted by Thai Engineering Unit together with AOT-TH also indicated signs that additional landmines may have been newly buried in the area, and clearance operations cannot yet proceed due to safety risks for personnel on-site.
Furthermore, AOT-TH verified the coordinates of all mine locations using mobile-phone GPS (Google Maps) together with topographic maps in a systematic manner. The findings clearly show that every location lies within Thai territory, with no point falling outside Thailand’s borders.
Importantly, the AOT-TH team leader inspected a Cambodian soldier’s personal mobile phone, which was abandoned during their withdrawal from Phu Makua. The phone contained photos, videos, and SIM-registration details clearly belonging to Cambodian forces, including images of PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine emplacement and burial, as well as footage of Cambodian soldiers operating in the area. This constitutes concrete, demonstrable evidence that the landmines were planted by Cambodian forces inside Thai territory.
The observers also noted that the area had previously been used as a forward operating base during clashes and that it is highly likely that the mines were laid during the recent period of heightened tensions, rather than being remnants of old mines as claimed by Cambodia.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters reiterates that all information is based on direct observation, physical evidence, geographic coordinates, photographs, videos, and scientific analysis conducted by AOT-TH, which operates with neutrality, transparency, and adherence to international standards. Thailand has fully abided by all agreements under bilateral mechanisms, including GBC, JBC, and all joint-observation arrangements, consistently upholding principles of peaceful conduct, transparency, and international norms to resolve tensions constructively and safeguard the security of people on both sides of the border.
At the same time, Thailand has observed repeated instances where Cambodia has provided information inconsistent with verified facts in several dialogue platforms, undermining the negotiation environment and confidence in cooperation mechanisms.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters will continue to proceed through all levels of bilateral mechanisms with transparency, clarity, and accountability, to ensure that the truth is presented to all relevant communities and to firmly safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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