Delayed Lede
In recent days, allegations from the Thai side claiming that Cambodia has “planted new PMN-2 landmines” along the border have spread across Thai media, turning into headlines far faster than any factual verification. Numerous reports were published, yet none were supported by technical evidence, forensic analysis, or transmission through the formal bilateral mechanisms agreed upon in the peace agreement.
Nut-Graf
While media narratives may travel quickly, the values of peace and political integrity cannot be risked on unverified claims or speculative incidents. Allegations must be assessed through science—not sensationalism.

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*If Thailand Claims a “New Mine,” Science and Technical Evidence Must Decide
The Thai side asserted that a “newly planted PMN-2 mine” had been found.
But according to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), such an allegation requires at least 11 categories of technical evidence, including:
Original photos with metadata
GPS/GIS data with timestamp
A complete chain-of-custody of evidence
Forensic tests on the mine
Site inspection by independent experts (CMAC, HALO Trust, MAG)
Official reports submitted through GBC and the Joint Coordination Task Force (JCTF)
Furthermore, the PMN-2 is a legacy mine—a remnant of Cambodia’s civil war—still found in historical minefields where it may explode at any time if someone enters unsafe terrain.
For these reasons, if Thailand insists the mine is “new,” then science and technical evidence must determine that claim—not speculative media narratives.

*Cambodia’s Response: Calm, Law-Based, and Firm
As the Cambodian Mine Action Authority stated on 25 November 2025: “If Thailand claims it is a new mine, such a claim must be supported by an official technical report, including verified photographs, a documented chain-of-custody, blast-site analysis, GIS data with timestamps, and an assessment by neutral mine-action organizations.”
The statement added that Cambodia has not received any such report through any official mechanism.
Cambodia also reaffirmed:
As a State Party to the Ottawa Treaty, Cambodia does not plant or use new mines
Cambodia upholds internationally recognized mine-action standards
Cambodia relies on science and evidence, not on speculative reporting
Cambodia called for a joint investigation involving neutral international mine-action experts to ensure an independent and balanced assessment.
This response reflects diplomacy, responsibility, and Cambodia’s refusal to use inflammatory language toward a neighboring state.

*The “Cambodian Soldier’s Phone” Claim: Evidence Requires Verification, Not Media Guesswork
Thailand also claimed it had “found a Cambodian soldier’s mobile phone” near the blast site. However:
No request for verification was submitted to Cambodia via GBC or JCTF
No International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number was provided
No forensic extraction or chain-of-custody was presented
Cambodia expressed “serious concern” regarding the authenticity of the images, especially since:
“In today’s era of deepfakes and manipulated photos/videos, such images require rigorous verification. Cambodia only accepts evidence independently verified through joint mechanisms and neutral technical bodies.”
Cambodia reiterated that it will not accept any unilateral assessment outside the agreed ASEAN mechanisms.

*Continuous Public Accusations Without Official Channels: A Blow to Trust and Joint Technical Cooperation
Cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand to restore stability and peace is supposed to proceed through agreed bilateral mechanisms. Yet Thailand has repeatedly bypassed these formal channels.
The Cambodian Mine Action Authority stated:
“We regret that Thailand’s repeated accusations have been released to the media without any official notification to Cambodia through bilateral mechanisms. Such unilateral actions undermine trust, fuel public misunderstanding, and complicate the work of technical teams on the ground.”
Nonetheless, Cambodia reaffirmed that it remains committed to peaceful, transparent cooperation that ensures the safety of both Cambodian and Thai populations.

Conclusion
Thailand’s claim that Cambodia planted a “new PMN-2 mine” along the border is an allegation without scientific basis, without documented evidence, without GIS analysis, without forensic examination, and without third-party verification.
It does not meet the standards of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and relies on assumptions rather than proven facts.
Thailand must understand clearly that a fabricated narrative cannot overturn a peace agreement nor create new instability. Peace requires evidence—not speculation.