The Royal Thai Army indicates that Cambodia continues to covertly plant landmines as an ongoing threat, disregarding violations of the Ottawa Convention. The Army spokesperson revealed that should circumstances become compelling, the armed forces may find it necessary to exercise the right of self-defense in accordance with international principles.
Major General Winthai Suvaree, Army spokesperson, addressed the incident that occurred on 12 August 2025 at approximately 09.10 hours. Sergeant Theerapol Piakhanthee from the 2610th Ranger Forces Company, along with a total of 7 personnel, was conducting a routine patrol mission along the Thai border on a designated route approximately 1 kilometer from Ta Muen Thom Castle in Surin Province. During the mission, Sergeant Theerapol stepped on an anti-personnel landmine covertly planted by the Cambodian side, resulting in severe injuries to his left ankle. He is currently receiving treatment at Phanom Dong Rak Hospital and is now out of critical condition.
This incident serves as clear evidence that the Cambodian side has violated the ceasefire agreement and shows no respect for international humanitarian law, particularly the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use and placement of all types of anti-personnel landmines. This constitutes a covert attack directly targeting Thai personnel, and it occurred within Thai territory.
Furthermore, similar incidents have occurred multiple times in border areas, reflecting the malicious intent and continuous behavior of the Cambodian side in threatening Thailand and violating Thai territorial integrity. This runs counter to the ceasefire agreements between nations established during previous GBC meetings. This confirms that the use of weapons by the Cambodian side has been ongoing throughout the ceasefire period.
It is acknowledged that such behavior and actions clearly create obstacles to implementing ceasefire measures and indicate that the Cambodian side intends to covertly threaten Thailand using military weapons. This suggests that Cambodia still intends to harm Thailand through covert attacks, even during this ceasefire agreement when no weapons should be used against each other.
Additionally, the recent events align systematically with the refusal of Cambodia to accept Thailand's proposals regarding landmines during previous GBC meetings. Therefore, it is believed that Cambodia has systematically planned this landmine issue with the intention of threatening and harming Thailand.
Throughout this period, the Royal Thai Army has consistently adhered to peaceful approaches and has not been the initiating party. However, should circumstances become compelling, it may be necessary to exercise the right of self-defense under international law principles to resolve situations that cause Thailand to continuously lose personnel due to violations of ceasefire agreements and sovereignty encroachments by Cambodian military forces.
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Royal Thai Army Public Relations Center, Army Spokesperson Team, 12 August 2025
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