Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia on Thailand's Baseless Landmine Allegations and Threats to Sovereignty

Phnom Penh, August 14, 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia has issued a firm denouncement of recent claims made by Thailand regarding landmine incidents along the Cambodia-Thailand border. In a statement issued today, the ministry refutes what it characterizes as false and inflammatory allegations contained in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statements dated August 10 and August 12, 2025.

The Cambodian government asserts that the claims alleging that Cambodian armed forces planted anti-personnel mines in areas including Tamone Thom Temple (Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province), and in locations such as Mom Bei, An Seh, and Ta Sem (Choam Khsant District, Preah Vihear Province), are entirely fabricated. These posts, which reportedly exploded and injured Thai military personnel, are proven to lack credible evidence and are viewed as attempts to divert attention from Thailand’s own violations of the ceasefire and international law.

The statement emphasizes that the incidents cited by Thailand occurred either within disputed territories or within Cambodia’s internationally recognized borders. These boundaries are supported by the detailed maps created by the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, based on the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty. These maps have been long accepted by both nations and have been cited by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its 1962 Judgment and 2013 interpretation concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear. Cambodia further highlighted that the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding prohibits unilateral military actions in un-demarcated areas—a prohibition that Cambodia argues Thailand has repeatedly violated, despite the ceasefire.

The Cambodian Ministry underscored that the incidents could not have happened without Thai military forces entering and conducting operations in known mine-contaminated zones, which are well documented by both national and international demining agencies. These zones contain remnants from Cambodia’s internal conflicts during the 1970s and 1980s. Cambodia reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines (Ottawa Convention), noting its extensive efforts in mine clearance and contributions to United Nations demining missions worldwide. The repeated false accusations that Cambodia has violated its treaty obligations are characterized as attempts to escalate tensions and undermine the fragile peace.

Additionally, Cambodia condemned the provocative remarks made on August 10, 2025, by the Commander of Thailand's Second Army Region, who vowed to "reclaim" Ta Krabey Temple and "close" Tamone Temple. Such statements, according to the Cambodian government, constitute prohibited threats of force under United Nations Charter Article 2(4), breach ASEAN obligations, and violate the spirit of the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28, 2025. Cambodia describes these remarks as part of a pattern of provocations that preceded Thailand’s unlawful armed offensive on July 24, 2025, which resulted in civilian and cultural heritage harm.

Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, emphasizing that all boundary disputes should be settled through diplomatic means strictly in accordance with the 1904 and 1907 treaties, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, and the jurisprudence of the ICJ.

The government called upon Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, alongside other international facilitators, to expedite the establishment of an impartial, independent monitoring mechanism to ensure respect for the ceasefire and prevent future escalation. Cambodia reiterated the importance of the ICJ as the ultimate judicial forum for resolving border disputes and urged Thailand to accept the Court’s jurisdiction in good faith. Cambodia emphasized that no border change should occur through the use or threat of force, advocating for a lawful and enduring peace based on mutual respect and international law.

Cambodia remains committed to regional stability and calls on Thailand to cease issuing misleading statements and unfounded allegations, engaging instead in constructive dialogue for a peaceful resolution.

Phnom Penh, August 13, 2025

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