(Phnom Penh): Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), stated that Thailand is attempting to manipulate the issue of landmines in order to portray itself as the victim, while the true victim is Cambodia, which has endured heavy bombardments from various types of ordnance dropped by F-16 fighter jets, including MK-84, MK-82, and cluster munitions.

He criticized Thailand’s actions as “an attempt to turn elephants into ants, and ants into elephants.”

The director general explained that remnants of MK-84 bombs, each weighing nearly a ton, were displayed by Thailand as if they were remnants from the 1970–1973 war, supposedly showing Cambodian responsibility for damaging Thai temples.

However, in reality, the MK-84 bomb found in Thmar Daun village, Kok Mon commune, was manufactured in 1996, while the MK-82 bomb dropped at Wat Ta Moan Sen Chey was produced in 2023. He questioned: “How can bombs manufactured in 1996 and 2023 be considered remnants of the 1970–1973 war?” He further noted that five more unexploded bombs remain buried at the site and can still be examined when CMAC specialists conduct clearance operations in the near future.

Heng Ratana added that Preah Vihear Temple had suffered damage from 155mm artillery shells, cluster munitions, and various other bombs. Yet, when bomb craters and temple damage were evident, Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately digging craters to tarnish Thailand’s image and to claim that Cambodia was the aggressor.

Regarding landmines, he said Thailand has tried to present itself as the victim by accusing Cambodia of laying new PMN-2 mines inside Thai territory. “But how could that be? The disputed land is shared between both sides,” he added.
He concluded that in today’s era of technological and AI revolution, the world is not lacking the wisdom to assess the truth: the origins of MK-82, MK-84, and cluster munitions are well-documented, covering manufacturers, suppliers, transporters, and end-users.
=FRESH NEWS