Cambodia’s national mine clearance authority has warned that unexploded cluster munitions fired by the Thai military into Cambodian territory are posing a severe risk to both soldiers and civilians, as they could detonate at any time.
Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday that during the recent five-day war, Thai forces used 115-millimetre artillery shells and M46 cluster munitions. He said the bomblets from these weapons could land in trees, on rooftops, on the ground, underground or in water.
The authority said each shell contains 56 M46 bomblets. CMAC teams have found these explosives in several parts of Cambodia and are clearing them to ensure public safety.
Heng Ratana urged residents in affected areas to be extremely cautious, particularly in Samraong district and Banteay Ampil district in Oddar Meanchey province, and in Choam Ksan district in Preah Vihear province. He appealed to anyone who sees or suspects the presence of unexploded cluster munitions or other ordnance to contact CMAC specialists, local authorities or the nearest police unit for safe removal.
On July 25, Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Maly Socheata accused Thailand of illegally using cluster munitions on Cambodian territory, calling it a grave violation of international law, including the Convention on Cluster Munitions. She said their deployment poses a long-term threat to civilian life, constitutes a war crime under international law and undermines peace and security in the region.
The Cambodia-Thailand war lasted from July 24 to July 28, 2025. During those five days, Thai forces reportedly used a range of heavy weaponry, including F-16 fighter jets, bomb-dropping drones, artillery, cluster munitions and aircraft releasing toxic smoke.
Responding to the allegation, Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suwaree acknowledged on July 26 that Thailand had used cluster munitions against Cambodia. However, he said Thailand is not a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
The international ban on cluster munitions came into force in 2010. A total of 123 countries have joined the treaty, which prohibits the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling and transfer of such weapons, as well as assisting or participating in any prohibited activity.
