Bangkok: General Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Defense, has disclosed efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to compile video evidence showing Cambodian soldiers planting landmines for submission to the Ottawa subcommittee. This initiative aims to coordinate with Japan, which executed the operation, to conduct an investigation before the full committee meeting scheduled for later this year.
According to Thai News Agency, the case came to light after Thai soldiers discovered a phone in Phu Makhuea containing images and a video clip depicting Cambodian soldiers planting PMN-2 mines. The clip, featuring speech in Khmer, shows the soldiers in action, prompting General Nattapol to outline Thailand's response. He stated, "We will take two actions. Internationally, we will publicize the situation to highlight the continued provocations by Cambodian troops, despite the Cambodian government's expressed commitment to a ceasefire." He further emphasized the importance of informing the global community about the situation and expressed a need for media clarity on the role of the Ottawa Convention Committee and Thailand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, who are responsible for monitoring the resolution's implementation.
General Nattapol also addressed the media's misunderstanding regarding the timeline for evidence submission. He clarified that while the main committee meeting in Geneva is scheduled for November-December, additional evidence is being gathered continuously, as requested by the Ottawa subcommittee. He confirmed that Japan has agreed to review the situation through the Ottawa Rules Compliance Committee before the main meeting.
The General Border Committee (GBC) is also involved in negotiations with Cambodia. General Nattapol anticipates that the current evidence will increase pressure on Cambodia, with the issue of mine clearance set to be discussed at the next GBC meeting. The GBC and the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation Administration Task Force (CMSA) plan to use the Humanitarian Mine Clearance Operations (RMAC) mechanism, operating within the ASEAN framework. General Nattapol emphasized the complexity of security, which involves social, psychological, economic, and political aspects, not just military matters.
Regarding the international response, General Nattapol confirmed that China, an observer country in ASEAN, has volunteered to assist with demining efforts. However, both China and the United States will only act as observers, as confirmed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting with General Nattapol. The general reiterated the importance of resolving issues through bilateral mechanisms, with multilateral cooperation limited to ASEAN member states.
In response to Cambodian claims of fabricated information, General Nattapol stressed the importance of adhering to the truth to maintain credibility. He assured that any new evidence would be shared with countries funding demining efforts in Cambodia and expressed confidence in the reliability of Thailand's information. Despite Cambodia chairing RMAC, General Nattapol emphasized that decisions cannot be dominated by one member state alone, advocating for a slow, truth-based approach to resolving the issue.