Opinion: Cambodia Appeals to the World: Old Landmines Cannot Justify New Invasions

Thailand employed cluster munitions during the recent border conflict. Delivered by 155mm artillery shell, each round contains 56 M-46 cluster sub-munitions. CMAC

I speak today as a Cambodian and as a human being, appealing to the conscience of the international community: witness the truth, defend peace and reject the misuse of history for aggression.

For more than five centuries, Cambodia has endured loss — of land, people and identity. We are a small nation among giants, militarily and economically weaker than our neighbours. Yet we have never sought to invade or provoke. We seek only survival and the right to give our children the peace we were denied.

On July 28, a ceasefire — witnessed by the US, China and ASEAN — promised hope. But the very next day, July 29, Thai soldiers advanced into Cambodian territory, in direct violation of that agreement, and captured 20 Cambodian soldiers.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, they should have been released immediately. Yet Thailand has ignored repeated calls from the ASEAN chair, the US, China and the EU. To this day, only two have been returned — one suffering mental trauma, the other with a broken leg and arm from violent treatment. Eighteen Cambodian soldiers remain in captivity.

Daily Intrusions and Provocations

Since the ceasefire, Thai soldiers have crossed into Cambodian territory every single day — removing households, sealing off border points with steel wire and scrap metal, and surrounding Cambodian homes and public buildings. They have provoked our troops with slingshots, insults and acts clearly intended to ignite confrontation.

Each time, Cambodian soldiers have remained silent — exercising discipline and patience to honour the international agreement, even when humiliated and provoked beyond measure.

The Landmine Pretext

Now, the focus is on landmines. These explosives have been buried for over 40 years, remnants of past wars. The Cambodian government has repeatedly informed Thailand of their locations and dangers. If Thai soldiers respected our border and our sovereignty, these mines would never be exposed.

So the question is: did they know about these mines? Yes, they knew. Then why walk into known danger — and do so repeatedly? And a deeper question: are these truly old mines, or new devices planted by Thai forces to frame Cambodia?

Without other justification, landmine incidents have become the last and most convenient reason to invade Cambodian territory — followed by false claims to the world that Cambodia broke the ceasefire and peace agreement.

This is not just a border tactic. It is an inhuman act — risking lives to create a political excuse, misleading the world, and undermining the very agreements signed to protect peace.

A War of Identity, Not Just Weapons

What we face is not only military intrusion. It is a war of identity erasure. Hour by hour, Thai media spreads fabricated stories — confusing both Thai and Cambodian citizens, and deceiving the global audience. The aim is to provoke anger, destroy trust and rewrite the truth.

We are fed up with war. We want peace. We want to be known for our culture, our history and our friendship — not for conflicts we never chose.

A Call to the World

We ask world leaders, the media and global citizens: Is this justice? Is this peacekeeping? Is this the action of a responsible neighbour — or the calculated strategy of one who exploits danger to erode another’s sovereignty?

Cambodia’s dignity is not for sale. Our will to live in peace is unbreakable. We urge the world to see the truth, reject disinformation and ensure that small nations are not sacrificed in the shadow of the powerful.

Dr. Thourn Sinan is a spiritual and tourism professional. The view and opinions expressed are his own.