Army Spokesman Criticizes CMAC Chief for Inaccurate Landmine Statements, Warns of Regional Consequences

Thai military officials have issued a sharp rebuke against Cambodian claims regarding border disputes, escalating tensions in a longstanding territorial conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

Major General Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, strongly dismissed recent statements made by Heng Ratana, who heads Cambodia’s demining authority. The Thai official accused Ratana of fabricating narratives and deliberately misleading international observers about the situation along the countries’ shared border.

“Heng Ratana continues to rely on imagination to fabricate stories and mislead the international community,” Major General Suvaree stated. “His comments deliberately distort the real issue and conceal the fact that Cambodian forces illegally installed new landmines inside Thai territory, which has caused casualties among Thai soldiers in the border area.”

The confrontation represents the latest flare-up in territorial disputes that have periodically strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia for decades. Both nations share a 817-kilometer border, portions of which remain contested despite numerous diplomatic efforts to resolve the disagreements.

According to the Thai military spokesman, Ratana’s communication style “does not reflect the conduct of a diplomatic gentleman.” He criticized the Cambodian official for refusing to acknowledge factual evidence while continuing to portray Thailand as the aggressor in the conflict.

“Such behavior undermines the atmosphere of cooperation between the two countries in resolving issues peacefully. It intentionally fuels greater conflict and hostility, which is harmful to regional stability,” Major General Suvaree added.

The dispute centers particularly on areas surrounding ancient temples and heritage sites along the border, most notably the Preah Vihear temple complex, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in a 1962 ruling. Despite this decision, surrounding territories have remained contested, leading to occasional military standoffs and diplomatic crises.

The Thai military maintains that their position is grounded in verifiable evidence. “The Thai side has a clear stance — providing accurate, evidence-based information, both empirical and technical, which can be openly verified by international individuals or organisations,” stated Major General Suvaree.

The landmine accusations are particularly serious given the devastating legacy of unexploded ordnance in the region. Cambodia remains one of the world’s most heavily mined countries following decades of conflict, with thousands of civilians killed or injured by leftover explosives. Both nations are signatories to the Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines, making any new mine placement a significant violation of international commitments.

Regional security experts note that border disputes between the two countries have implications beyond bilateral relations, potentially affecting the stability and cohesion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to which both countries belong.

The Thai military has appealed to international observers to reject what they characterize as disinformation. “We call on the international community to recognize and reject Heng Ratana’s dissemination of false information, which undermines trust, weakens the credibility of international cooperation frameworks, and obstructs efforts to build lasting peace in the region,” concluded the Thai spokesman.

Neither Cambodian officials nor Heng Ratana had issued a response to the Thai military’s statements at the time of reporting. Diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open, though this public exchange suggests underlying tensions continue to complicate border negotiations and regional security cooperation.