Phnom Penh, November 30, 2025 The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia has rejected Thailand’s allegations regarding a landmine explosion on Nov. 29 that injured a Chinese national in Banteay Meanchey province.
According to a report from the 5th Military Region of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, at 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 29, Border Guard Unit No. 503, stationed in Chouk Chey village, O’Beichoan commune, O’Chrov district, heard the sound of a landmine explosion. A subsequent inspection confirmed that the incident occurred within a Cambodian minefield containing old unexploded ordnance – remnants of past conflicts, the Ministry said in a press release.
The Chinese national identified as Shi Jingui, passport number 2356975263, whom Thai authorities reported as the victim, does not appear in Cambodia’s entry or exit records, according to the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Immigration, the statement added.
“The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia rejects all allegations made by the Thai side,” the press release stressed. “Cambodia respects and upholds international law and has never laid new mines. Moreover, Cambodia has consistently worked to clear landmines left from past wars to protect lives, ensure safety, and support socio-economic development, while also actively contributing to UN-led demining efforts.”
Regarding ongoing humanitarian demining along the Cambodia-Thailand border, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), under the Joint Coordination Task Force (JCTF), continue to study, assess, and discuss pilot areas in priority zones, achieving steady progress.
In this context, Cambodia urges Thailand to fully implement the agreements already reached, particularly that all humanitarian demining along the border must be conducted through the JCTF and in accordance with the agreed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The press release reaffirmed the Ministry of National Defence’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, good neighbourliness, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, as well as its firm adherence to the Joint Declaration on the Peace Deal between Cambodia and Thailand signed on Oct. 26, 2025.
By C. Nika AKP
