The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) claimed in its report to the UN body responsible for monitoring compliance with the Ottawa Convention that it possessed more than 3,700 anti-personnel landmines by the end of last year, for training purposes as permitted under Section 3 of the treaty.
However, Maj Gen Vinai Laithomya, deputy spokesman of the Thai army, alleged that some of these landmines, including PMN-2s, had been laid on Thai territory, in gross violation of the Ottawa Convention.
He said five Thai soldiers were wounded by PMN-2 landmines on Thai soil near the border last month, adding that the landmines were found to have been newly laid, according to the Thai Mine Action Centre (TMAC).
The PMN-2 landmines which were found and defused by TMAC officials had their safety mechanisms removed, but with the detonating pin in good working condition and were not old or defective, according to Maj-Gen Vinai.
The PMN-2s found at Phua Makua had not yet been armed, with their safety pins still in place, which is a clear indication that Cambodia has these landmines in its possession and ready for use, he said, adding that all the landmines which have been found will be destroyed by the TMAC officials after they are made safe.
Vinai also said that all the PMN-2 landmines in the possession of the Thai army had been destroyed by 2019.
The Thai military will take the Interim Observer Team from eight ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, on a three-day field trip, starting on Monday at the operations centre of the Second Army Region.
The itinerary includes a visit to the TMAC, to observe a demonstration of mine clearance, a visit to Chong An Ma in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani and Pha Mo E Daeng in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, as well as a visit to 18 Cambodian soldiers being detained at Phanom Dong Rak hospital in Surin.
