(Phnom Penh): Along the Cambodia–Thailand border—once a battlefield for decades—the scent of old landmines continues to “live” beneath the soil, even though the sound of gunfire has quieted in the weeks following the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement.

On the surface, the silence resembles peace. But beneath the layers of politics and military maneuvering lies a calculated strategy of “information landmines” that can detonate at any moment.

And each time Thailand attempts to transform its image from aggressor to victim, the familiar sound of a “landmine explosion” resurfaces—precisely as it has once again today.

The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia has firmly rejected the accusations made by Thailand’s 2nd Army Area, which recently claimed that “a landmine explosion occurred in the Huai Tamaria area on 2 December 2025 at 14:20, allegedly caused by mines planted by Cambodia.”

This article analyzes why Thailand repeatedly invokes “landmine explosions,” almost automatically claiming they occurred inside Thai territory—even though no independent forensic or technical investigation has ever confirmed that new mines were planted by Cambodia.

Increasingly, the landmine issue has become a political weapon used by Thailand to mislead the international community, conceal its own unlawful military incursions into Cambodian territory, and shift its role from aggressor to self-proclaimed victim.

When “Landmine Explosions” Become a Political Script

Whenever tensions rise along the border—or when Thailand faces difficult questions from the international community about detaining 18 Cambodian soldiers, shooting civilians, violating the ceasefire, or illegally intruding across the frontier—a “landmine incident” almost always emerges as a convenient headline.

Statements issued by Thailand’s 2nd Army Area routinely describe such incidents as
“occurring inside Thai territory” and accuse Cambodia of laying “new mines,” even though no independent agency or technical team has ever verified these claims.

In political language, this is not information—it is narrative construction intended to make Thailand appear as the victim while presenting Cambodia as a violator of international law and the peace agreement.

Old Mines in an Old Warzone—Older Than Thailand’s Current Government

The border between Cambodia and Thailand is contaminated with hundreds of thousands of old landmines, planted over decades:

• during Cambodia’s civil wars,
• during the Khmer Rouge regime,
• during past cross-border guerrilla conflicts,
• and even, historically, by Thai forces themselves to prevent armed groups from crossing into Thailand.

Most of these mines were never fully cleared.

Heavy rain, soil erosion, or wild animals often cause random detonations. These explosions cannot be attributed to any single country, as they are remnants of a shared and complex war history.

Yet instead of acknowledging this reality, Thailand consistently exploits the ambiguity by claiming, without evidence, that each incident must be a “new mine” planted by Cambodia.

This is political strategy—not evidence-based mine investigation.

If It Exploded on “Thai Soil,” Then Who Put It There?

A central question Thailand never answers is this:

If Thailand claims that the landmine exploded inside Thai sovereign territory, an area supposedly secured and controlled by the Thai military, then what does that imply?

• If it was an old mine, Thailand must accept responsibility for failing to clear landmines on its claimed territory—thereby endangering its own soldiers and civilians.
• If Thailand insists it was a “new mine,” then why is no independent investigation invited? Where is the scientific verification? Where is the forensic evidence?

Either way, Thailand cannot avoid the fundamental contradiction:

If a landmine explodes on land you claim is yours—why have you not cleared it, and how can you continue presenting yourself as the victim?

Instead of addressing this question, Thai public opinion is directed toward a narrative of victimhood, while responsibility for mine clearance is quietly ignored.

The Border Is Not Just a Line on a Map—It Is a Test of Justice

Cambodia strictly upholds the Ottawa Convention, has consistently cleared old mines, and has honored its commitment not to lay new mines for many decades. This is not only a legal obligation but also a humanitarian responsibility that reflects Cambodia’s commitment to peace and regional trust.

Thailand, in contrast, is not a State Party to the Ottawa Convention and has repeatedly used the mine issue as a political tool in border negotiations.

Whenever pressure increases over Thailand’s unlawful actions—such as illegal intrusions, arrests of Cambodian soldiers, or shootings across the border—another “landmine explosion” conveniently emerges to shift public attention.

Is this truly an effort to seek justice, or is it a strategy to weaponize victimhood to conceal aggressive behavior?

Conclusion

Landmines do not only explode on the battlefield—they also explode on negotiation tables and in the media.

Every time Thailand claims that a mine detonated “inside Thai territory” while refusing independent verification, ignoring its responsibility to clear old mines on territory it claims, and continuing unlawful intrusions into Cambodian land, it becomes clear that this is not a search for truth. It is the use of justice as a political landmine.

For Cambodia, upholding international law, respecting the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement, and continuing humanitarian demining efforts remain the only lawful and principled path toward genuine peace.

Ultimately, the international community must confront a simple question:

If a mine explodes on land you claim as your own—and you never cleared it—how long can you still call yourself the victim?

This commentary demonstrates clearly that Cambodia’s rejection of Thailand’s accusations is not defensive politics, but a principled defense of international law, truth, and genuine peace.