Thailand Briefs Foreign Military Envoys on Border Landmine Incident
BANGKOK, July 21, 2025 — The Royal Thai Army convened a special session with military attachés from 47 countries on Monday, offering a detailed account of the recent landmine incident that injured three Thai soldiers near the Thai-Cambodian border.
The briefing, held at Army headquarters in Bangkok, focused on the explosion that occurred at Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani Province. According to the Army’s presentation, the landmines were allegedly planted by Cambodian forces, a move Thai authorities claim violates both the country’s territorial sovereignty and the international Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines.
Lieutenant General Kamchai Wongsri, director of the Army Intelligence Department, presented the Thai military’s position, asserting that the explosives were newly deployed and not part of any residual minefields from previous conflicts. He emphasized the incident as a breach of international law and urged for responsible engagement through diplomatic channels.
In response, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a public statement firmly denying responsibility for the landmines. The ministry accused the Thai military of encroaching on Cambodian territory, suggesting that the detonation occurred within Cambodia’s borders. The statement also challenged Thailand to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice, marking a sharp escalation in rhetoric between the two neighbors.
While both countries are signatories to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Convention), tensions over border demarcation and historical disputes have led to occasional flare-ups. The recent incident has renewed calls from human rights groups and international observers for increased transparency and cooperative demining efforts in contested zones.
Military officials from several embassies in attendance declined to comment publicly on the matter. The Thai Army said it would continue to brief diplomatic and defense representatives as part of its commitment to international law and regional stability.