Cambodia’s government has accused Thailand of carrying out air strikes and then attempting to shift blame onto Phnom Penh through what it called misleading claims about landmines.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona told a press conference on Wednesday that Cambodia has already suffered heavy bombardment, including MK-84 and MK-82 bombs as well as cluster munitions dropped by Thai F-16 aircraft during five days of fighting. He said Thailand was now using the issue of landmines to portray itself as a victim, while Cambodia was the country enduring the real attacks.
Pen Bona said Cambodia and its people wanted peace, adding that international observers already understood Cambodia’s position as a nation seeking stability.
His comments followed a report by Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper on August 19, which said Thai naval forces had retrieved a Cambodian soldier’s mobile phone containing photos and videos of PMN-2 anti-personnel mines. The paper claimed the footage showed Cambodian troops planting mines near the border.
In a separate development, Michael B Alfaro, a United States presidential adviser, mocked the report on social media, suggesting that if Cambodia could produce a waterproof mobile phone with an endless battery as claimed, it should share the technology with Elon Musk.
Observers have dismissed the Thai claims as disinformation. They noted that photographs allegedly showing Cambodian soldiers laying mines bore the name of soldier Chhum Eng on his uniform. Chhum Eng has been held in Thailand since his capture on July 29.
Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, wrote on his Facebook page that Thailand was attempting to present itself as a victim by accusing Cambodia of deploying newly planted PMN-2 mines.
Meanwhile, Ly Thuch, first vice president of the Cambodian Mine Authority, described the allegations as politically motivated and unfounded. He said the area where mines reportedly injured Thai soldiers was an old battlefield dating back to Cambodia’s civil war.
Ly Thuch also warned Thai troops not to cross into Cambodian territory along disputed border areas, saying they risked stepping on mines left from past conflicts. He insisted Cambodia had not laid new mines and rejected Thailand’s attempt to shift responsibility.
