SI SA KET — The Thai Navy’s mine clearance unit has discovered a mobile phone containing video and photographic evidence allegedly showing Cambodian soldiers planting new anti-personnel landmines in contested border areas, directly contradicting Cambodia’s repeated denials of violating international mine bans.

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The device was recovered during a clearance operation on Phu Makua hill—a fiercely contested area during last month’s border clashes—now under Thai military control. The footage, reviewed by Navy specialists from the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit, shows soldiers in Cambodian uniforms handling and burying PMN-2 landmines while giving instructions in Khmer.

One clip features two camouflaged soldiers demonstrating how to arm the mines, stating: “Pull the pin. Do not squeeze. Slowly pull it out. Do not twist.” Another shows mines being buried specifically to target ankles, with instructions to place them at the bases of 210 trees.

Thai soldiers discovered a mobile phone inside a Cambodian military base that had trespassed into Thai territory. The device contained videos and photos of landmine planting operations within Thailand's border – clear evidence that Cambodia violated the ceasefire and used… pic.twitter.com/CVCgK35c1R

— 🕊️🕊️🇹🇭🇹🇭 (@B2F8o3) August 20, 2025

Cambodia has consistently claimed it only retains mines for training purposes and attributes explosions to old wartime remnants. However, five Thai soldiers have recently suffered limb losses, with many others injured by explosions on Thai soil.

The discovery intensifies diplomatic tensions, with Thailand preparing to present the evidence to international observers. Cambodia has yet to respond to the latest allegations, which threaten to undermine ceasefire agreements and draw renewed scrutiny from global mine action organizations.

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The Ottawa Convention, which both nations ratified, strictly prohibits the use, stockpiling, and production of anti-personnel mines. This evidence marks the most direct allegation yet of violations in the ongoing border dispute.

-Thailand News (TN)