(Phnom Penh): The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) Director General Heng Ratana said that along the Cambodia–Thailand border, large areas remain contaminated with landmines that have not yet been cleared—stretching for an estimated length of more than 700 kilometres under Cambodian control.

Heng Ratana spoke on Monday (Aug. 18) during a press conference on Thailand's baseless accusations against Cambodia concerning the alleged use of new landmines. He reaffirmed Cambodia's position as a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) at CMAA’s headquarters.

He stressed that the Royal Government has prioritised clearance in inhabited areas to serve social, economic, and development needs.

“The biggest landmine problem in our country lies along the Cambodia–Thailand border, near or directly on the borderline. We know that more than 700 kilometres of border areas remain mine-contaminated and uncleared,” Heng Ratana underscored.

He further explained that many uncleared minefields lie within disputed border areas between Cambodia and Thailand. While the Thai side claims its areas have been cleared, the parts under Cambodian control have not yet been cleared, as they are not considered primary priority zones.

It should be noted that in the past 33 years, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre has discovered and destroyed 1,203,623 anti-personnel mines, 26,692 anti-tank mines, and 3,222,549 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO).

As of July 2025, an area of 141 square kilometres has been cleared, resulting in the destruction of 6,405 anti-personnel mines, 125 anti-tank mines, and 25,845 UXOs. The number of mine/UXO victims has decreased significantly from 4,320 in 1996 to only 49 in 2024.
=FRESH NEWS