Thailand Disputes Cambodia's Unverified Border Minefield Claims
Thailand disputes Cambodia's unverified claims of cluster munitions left along their border, saying the allegations lack forensic evidence and joint verification despite Cambodia's Mine Action Centre releasing contamination data in July.
Air Vice Marshal Prabhas Saonjaidi, assistant commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Information Center (JIC), addressed Cambodia's Mine Action Centre (CMAC) data on explosive contamination along the border on July 26. The JIC confirmed receipt of the information and provided clarification on several key points.
Saonjaidi stated that Thailand is committed to civilian protection and reducing humanitarian impact from border conflict, and supports international humanitarian mine and ordnance clearance without discrimination. However, regarding CMAC's claims about cluster munitions quantities, submunitions, and contaminated areas, he emphasized that these figures were compiled unilaterally by Cambodia and have not undergone joint verification or received endorsement from independent international mechanisms, and therefore cannot be confirmed as verified fact.
Thailand cannot verify Cambodia's allegations that Thai forces fired 120,000–130,000 cluster rounds or left millions of unexploded submunitions, the JIC director said, citing the absence of forensic evidence, technical verification, or assessment from independent experts to support such claims.
Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to support transparent, impartial fact-checking based on verifiable evidence through mutually agreed bilateral mechanisms or relevant international organizations. The JIC expressed concern that publishing unverified accusations could undermine trust and hinder post-ceasefire relationship recovery. Following the December 27 ceasefire agreement, both sides committed to avoiding provocation and fostering constructive dialogue.
"Thailand remains committed to resolving issues through negotiation, bilateral mechanisms, international law, and humanitarian principles, supporting measures that enable safe and sustainable civilian recovery," the JIC statement concluded. "Lasting peace must be built on verified facts, transparency, and cooperation—not on unverified claims and accusations."
