(Phnom Penh): Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia, officially rejected the Thai side’s accusations against Cambodia regarding the injury of Thai soldiers caused by stepping on a landmine while patrolling a newly created route.
The Ministry categorically denies Thailand’s accusation against Cambodia concerning the injury of three Thai soldiers due to a landmine explosion on 16 July 2025, in Techo Morokot village, Morokot commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province. Cambodia reiterates that it has repeatedly warned the Thai side to strictly follow mutually agreed routes for patrols, since these areas still contain many unexploded landmines, which have even harmed Cambodian civilians.
In reality, the Thai soldiers violated the agreement outlined in the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU-2000) by deviating from their established patrol routes and creating a new route that entered Cambodia sovereign territory. This territory is recognized based on the 1:200,000-scale map, which was the result of boundary demarcation and pillar placement between Indochina and Siam, consistent with the spirit of the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. Their incursion resulted in injury due to a landmine—a remnant of war.
Respect for sovereignty and international law must be demonstrated through action, not just words. Therefore, Cambodia calls on the Thai side to fully implement the MOU-2000 and to make full use of international legal mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to resolve border disputes. Only through such means can true and lasting peace be achieved, while also preventing further injuries or loss of life among innocent civilians.
This incident also raises serious questions about the Thai military leadership’s intent: Why were their troops ordered to patrol outside the agreed route, even though they knew the area was hazardous due to wartime landmines and despite Cambodia’s repeated warnings? Was this an intentional act designed to provoke tension that could escalate the situation into confrontation?
Cambodian Ministry of National Defence once again urges the Thai side to immediately cease all actions that infringe on Cambodia’s territorial integrity and to refrain from any behaviour that threatens peace and stability along the border.
As a country heavily affected by landmines, Cambodia has played an active role in fulfilling its obligations as a State Party to the Ottawa Convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines. Cambodia has been highly recognized by the international community not only for its success in demining and destroying all types of anti-personnel mines, but also for its contributions to the United Nations’ efforts in clearing mines in other countries that have suffered or are still suffering from war.
On this occasion, the Ministry of National Defence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces reaffirm their full support for the position of the Royal Government of Cambodia in resolving the border issue with Thailand through peaceful means and based on international law. This includes bringing disputes over Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and surrounding areas to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
They further express unwavering determination to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and vow that not even a single millimetre of Cambodian land will be lost, regardless of the cost.
=FRESH NEWS
