Thailand has been urged to conduct all humanitarian landmine clearance activities strictly within its own territory and in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, after Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pledged greater government support for demining operations along the border.
A scholar at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) said Cambodia supports humanitarian mine clearance but opposes any attempt to use such operations as a pretext for unilateral activities affecting its sovereignty.
“Cambodia supports humanitarian mine clearance. What Cambodia cannot support is the use of humanitarian demining as a pretext for unilateral activities in areas affecting Cambodia’s sovereignty. The Ottawa Convention saves lives—it does not redraw borders. Humanitarian action must always respect international law, sovereignty, and the commitments both countries have made.”
The scholar said Thailand is obliged to carry out landmine clearance activities exclusively within its own territory and in full compliance with the Kuala Lumpur Accord of October 26, 2025.
“Any landmine clearance or related activity must not infringe upon Cambodia’s sovereignty, nor be undertaken in areas where the international boundary remains undemarcated or is subject to ongoing bilateral boundary delimitation and demarcation processes.”
The scholar added that respecting the status quo and the territorial integrity of both countries is essential to maintaining peace, stability and confidence along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
The comments came after Thai media reported that Anutin said his government was ready to fully support landmine clearance operations, pledging funding and equipment to protect Thailand’s sovereignty.
According to the reports, Anutin expressed sympathy for soldiers after a patrol officer lost his left foot in a landmine explosion in Sa Kaeo province, saying the blast was caused by an old mine rather than a new attack.
Source: KhmerTimes
