Retaliation against Cambodia over landmines is justified – Thai army chief

The discovery of new landmines on Thai soil, believed have been laid by Cambodian troops, is sufficient justification for Thailand to retaliate against Cambodia, militarily and diplomatically, Thai army spokesman quoted the Thai army chief as saying.

Thai troops have recovered eight anti-personnel landmines recently laid on Thai territory, 100-150 metres from the Cambodian trenches at Chong Bok pass in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani, according to Colonel Somchoke Chanhassen, commander of the demining unit of the Second Region Army,.

Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree quoted Army Commander-in-Chief General Pana Klaewplodthuk as saying that the laying of new anti-personnel landmines by the Cambodian troops has justified retaliation.

Addressing the media at a press conference, in the presence of Lt-Gen Boonsin Padklang, the regional army commander, Colonel Somchoke said that all the eight recovered landmines are evidently new, according to their markings.

He said that, at one spot, three mines were found on the ground covered with leaves and they were laid about 40cm apart. In a second location, five landmines were found, similarly hidden, about 90cm apart.

He noted that had the landmines been old they would have covered by weeds.

Lt-Gen Boonsin said hundreds more landmines are believed to have been laid in the area at Chong Bok and demining units will find and defuse all of them, adding that a report on the finding of the landmines will be submitted to the government, to support a protest note to the United Nations against Cambodia for violation of the Ottawa Convention.

He admitted that some old mines remain in the area, but most of them have become inoperable.

The army spokesman emphasised, however, that Thai and Cambodian peoples are not in conflict and that the border tensions should not lead to hatred between Thais and Cambodians.