Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that Thailand has seen mounting evidence confirming that landmines along the Thailand-Cambodia border were newly planted by Cambodia.

The statement was made at the 22nd Meeting of States Parties (22MSP) Consideration of Requests Submitted under Article 8 on 5 December 2025, Geneva, Switzerland, as follows:

Madam President, Excellencies, 

1. When this Convention was adopted in 1997, State Parties pledged to ‘end the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines’ – a promise rooted in consensus that no civilized nation can justify using weapons that attacks so indiscriminately. 

2. Thailand believes deeply in these principles, and that is why we are compelled to raise a matter of grave concern before this Meeting.

Madam President, 

3. Thailand has neither the desire to create tension, nor to politicize the issue, but our soldiers have suffered time and again. And I have a duty to speak on behalf of the Thai people who have endured, time and again, acts that should never have occurred under this Convention. 

4. In recent months, seven Thai soldiers lost their legs in a series of landmine incidents along our border, heightening fear among local communities. 

5. We have seen mounting evidence confirming that these mines were newly planted by Cambodia. 

6. Independent assessments – including by the ASEAN Observer Team – confirmed that the mines were freshly laid. We have video-graphic proof that clearly shows Cambodian personnel training to deploy PMN-2 mines – the type that Cambodia possesses.

7. This is a blatant breach of Article 1 of the Convention, and a profound violation of the humanitarian principles we placed at the core of this Convention. 

8. For the first time, Thailand has invoked Article 8, paragraph 2, to request clarification from Cambodia because the integrity of the Convention demanded no less. 

9. We have engaged every bilateral mechanism in good faith to resolve this matter constructively. 

10. Yet Cambodia’s responses have contradicted verified evidence and have been accompanied by a persistent pattern of disinformation. 

11. This pattern continues even after we signed the Joint Declaration in Kuala Lumpur. Just two weeks later, another landmine incident occurred, undermining both the letter and the spirit of that Declaration. Madam Chair,

12. This matter strikes at the integrity of this Convention. 

13. If a State Party can plant new mines and simply deny it without consequence, then what will happen after the next casualty? 

14. Such a challenge requires hard decisions – for inaction is bound to erode the authority of the Convention itself. 

15. As Cambodia repeatedly continues to deny facts, evidence and cooperation, Thailand believes the most constructive way forward is to request the Secretary General’s good offices to facilitate the establishing of an independent fact-finding mission in a timely manner. 

16. In pursuing this request, Thailand seeks neither unilateral advantage nor brinkmanship. Our objective is to depoliticize this issue by relying on the Convention’s own mechanisms to establish the facts impartially.

17. We believe this is the fairest, most effective and transparent avenue for both sides, and it will demonstrate that the Convention’s mechanisms work when they are needed most. 
Madam Chair, 

18. Thailand expresses sincere appreciation to you, to the Cooperative Compliance Committee, the UN Secretary-General, and the Secretariat for facilitating our clarification request. 

19. We call on Cambodia to return to full compliance, and we call on State Parties to urge Cambodia to engage constructively, honestly, and in good faith. 

20. Our position is straightforward: no more landmines, no more victims, and no weakening of the rules that protect us all. 

Thank you, Madam Chair.