Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has asked the United Nations to establish a special investigation into the spread of landmines along the border, allegedly planted by Cambodia and causing a series of injuries to Thai soldiers, stressing there must be no more victims.

“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,” Mr Sihasak said, addressing a meeting of member states of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Treaty) in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday.

The Cambodian delegation, led by Minister Ly Thuc, first deputy chairman of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, refuted Thailand’s accusations and told the gathering that its neighbour was not acting in good faith.

Mr Sihasak began his address by stating that as Thailand and other state parties adopting the convention in 1997 have pledged to end the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines, the country was compelled to raise its concerns, adding that Thailand had no desire to create tension or politicise the issue.

Since the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia escalated in mid-July, 18 Thai soldiers have been injured by landmines, with seven losing limbs. One Chinese civilian sneaking across the border also lost a leg. Some of the incidents occurred after the two countries signed their joint declaration to pursue peace in Kuala Lumpur in October.

“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,” Mr Sihasak said. The landmine incidents have also heightened fear among local communities.

Mounting evidence, including from the independent Asean Observer Team made up of senior military officials, along with videographic proof, confirmed that the PMN-2 mines were freshly laid by Cambodian soldiers, the Thai minister said.

Since the action was considered a violation of the treaty, he said, “Thailand has invoked Article 8, paragraph 2, to request clarification from Cambodia.”

While Thailand has pursued every bilateral mechanism to resolve the problem, Cambodia continues to contradict verified evidence, with a persistent pattern of disinformation, he said.

“If a state party can plant new mines and simply deny it without consequences, then what will happen after the next casualty?” Mr Sihasak asked the meeting.

Therefore, Thailand requested that the UN Secretary-General facilitate the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission in a timely manner, as the country believes it is the most constructive way forward.

Thailand seeks neither unilateral advantage nor brinkmanship, but to depoliticise the issue by letting the convention’s mechanisms work, Mr Sihasak said.

He called on Cambodia to return to full compliance and for other state parties to urge Cambodia to engage with sincerity.

“No more landmines, no more victims and no weakening of rules that protect us all,” the Thai minister concluded.

Unsubstantiated allegations’

Delivering Cambodia’s response, Ly Thuc said his country has suffered from military action taken by Thailand in response to “unverified and unsubstantiated landmine allegations”, and is concerned about increased provocation from the Thai side.

He expressed disappointment over Thailand’s request under Article 8.2, which he said indicated the intention to bypass Article 8.1 without an effort to promote fully constructive dialogue between the two countries.

“This shortcut demonstrates neither good faith nor honesty,” Ly Thuc continued. “It is not cooperation, but confrontation that will never resolve this issue peacefully.

The minister said his country was committed to the convention, and has not laid any anti-personnel mines since joining the Ottawa Treaty in 1999.

Cambodia, he asserted, has been recognised globally for humanitarian leadership, clearance operations and support to affected states.

The ambassador called for adherence to evidence-based, cooperative investigation mechanisms and insisted on “choosing constructive dialogue over confrontation” to find the truth.