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Soldiers

Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Violating Ottawa Treaty on Landmines

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thailand has accused Cambodia of deceiving other countries into donating funds for landmine clearance, claiming that no operations have taken place. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has also accused Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Treaty after a Thai soldier lost his left ankle in a landmine blast in the Isaan province of Si Saket. Despite a recent agreement between the two countries to bring peace and safety to civilians living along the border, Thailand claims that Cambodia refused to include landmine clearance and scam call centre crackdowns in the truce.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Treaty and deceiving other countries into donating funds for landmine clearance.
  • The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claimed that Cambodia had not conducted any landmine clearance operations despite receiving international funding.
  • A Thai soldier, Sergeant Major First Class Thanee Phaha, lost his left ankle in a landmine blast in the Isaan province of Si Saket on August 9.
  • The RTA discovered 18 PMN-2 landmines at the site, including 16 packed in sacks and two placed hastily on the ground without being buried.
  • Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted three official complaints to the President-designate of the 22nd Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention regarding three landmine blasts.
  • The Thai government called for action against Cambodia for breaching the treaty and urged the country to clarify the matter to the committee and the public.

Statistics:

  • 18 PMN-2 landmines were discovered by the RTA at the site of the August 9 landmine blast.
  • 16 of the landmines were packed in sacks, while two were placed hastily on the ground without being buried.
  • Three landmine blasts have occurred in the past two weeks, with two on July 23 and 24, and one on August 9.
  • Seven Thai soldiers have been injured in landmine blasts, including Sergeant Major First Class Thanee Phaha, who lost his left ankle.

Sources:

  • Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • The Royal Thai Army (RTA)
  • Petch Petpailin Petpailin, a Thai translator and writer for The Thaiger
  • Bangkok Post
  • Daily Mail
  • The Sun

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