Opinion: Twisting the Truth: How Thailand Weaponises Landmines Against Cambodia

A Cambodian demining operator examines the damage caused by Thai bombing. Below is the manufacturers plate of an unexploded MK-84 bomb, which was manufactured in 1996. CMAC

Why are the Thai government and military so eager to accuse Cambodia over landmines, when the incident that injured Thai soldiers clearly occurred inside Cambodian territory? The answer lies in Thailand’s deliberate manipulation of the truth — a calculated attempt to portray itself as a victim while casting Cambodia as the aggressor.

Cambodia has been forthright with Thailand and the international community for decades: the border regions remain contaminated with landmines, a tragic legacy of wars that scarred our land. Despite massive clearance operations with international support, not all mines have been removed. Thailand knows this, because Cambodia has repeatedly informed them. Yet instead of acknowledging this reality, Bangkok distorts the facts to smear Cambodia, seizing on every incident to score political points.

This selective narrative ignores a far greater truth. Thailand highlights a few small mines it claims to have cleared, but conveniently forgets its own destructive legacy — the thousands of bombs it rained down on Cambodia from F-16 fighter jets. Among them were deadly MK84 and MK82 bombs, as well as cluster munitions, notorious for their indiscriminate impact. These weapons killed civilians, poisoned farmland and left unexploded remnants that still endanger Cambodian lives. If Thailand wishes to discuss responsibility, why does it turn a blind eye to this brutal record?

The hypocrisy is glaring. The aggressor now cries victim, using landmines as a political weapon to justify military hostility and information warfare. Cambodia, by contrast, has demonstrated transparency and commitment. Since ratifying the Ottawa Convention in 1999, Cambodia has cleared millions of mines and unexploded ordnance, saving countless lives and fulfilling its humanitarian obligations. Thailand, which is also a signatory, should uphold the same standards of truth and responsibility, rather than manipulating the issue for propaganda.

If Bangkok truly cared about humanitarian suffering, it would engage in joint clearance operations instead of fabricating accusations. The international community must not be deceived: these narratives are not about landmines, but about Thailand’s agenda to vilify Cambodia and justify aggression.

Cambodia will not accept blame-shifting from those who once bombed our land and now distort the truth. It is time for Thailand to stop weaponising lies and start respecting international law. Only through honesty and cooperation — not propaganda — can peace along the border be secured.

Roth Santepheap is geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views and opinions expressed are his own.