Statement on Protest Against the 3rd Incidence of the Use of Anti-Personnel Mines
On 9 August 2025, near Don Aow-Kritsana area, Si Sa Ket Province, three soldiers from Thailand’s 1st Infantry Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment were conducting a routine patrol within Thai territory that was recently cleared of landmines, but then came upon and stepped on another landmine. This incident confirms once again the previous investigation reports of the Royal Thai Army that new landmines are being laid in blatant violation of international law. It also now marks the third such incident encountered by Thai forces within less than a month.
The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines. Such an act is a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand, which is an outright breach of the principles that are fundamental to international law and international humanitarian law enshrined in the United Nations Charter, as well as a clear violation of the obligations under the Anti – Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Thailand is lodging a further protest against Cambodia on this matter, and as a State Party, will take action in accordance with the said Convention.
Such actions by the Cambodian side pose a significant obstacle to the implementation of the ceasefire agreed upon by both sides. Thailand therefore must make repeated calls on Cambodia to immediately cease these gross violations of the Ottowa Convention by the laying of new landmines and urgently cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers. This issue was also proposed by the Thai side at the Extraordinary Session of the General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Thailand and Cambodia, held on 7 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to which the Cambodian side has unfortunately not responded.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9 August 2025
EN
CN
DE
JP
TH
