Phnom Penh, August 18, 2025 — Mr. Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) and the Royal Government Delegate in Charge, today provided an update on the country’s ongoing mine clearance efforts and addressed recent allegations regarding landmines along the Cambodia-Thai border.

During a press conference, Mr. Heng Ratana emphasized that significant mine contamination persists in areas under Cambodian control along the Cambodia-Thai border, spanning over 700 kilometers. He noted that these mines pose ongoing threats to local communities, development projects, and border security. 

"The problem of mines in our country is most severe along the Cambodia-Thai border, especially near and on the border line itself. Currently, there are areas with landmine issues along the border that have not been cleared for more than 700 kilometers," Mr. Heng said. He added that many of these mines are situated within disputed border zones, which remain classified as minefields.

In response to Thailand’s claims that Cambodia has recently laid new mines, Mr. Heng clarified that most of the landmines shown to international delegations are indeed newly laid, with tips still intact. "Most of these mines are new; they have not been removed from old minefields," he stated. He explained that if the mines were exhumed from existing minefields, the triggers would likely be broken, rendering the mines inert, which is not the case here.

Mr. Heng further explained that unexploded mines with intact triggers pose a clear threat, but if they were planted by the military, those responsible would have removed or disabled the triggers to avoid accidental detonation. "If the mines are unexploded and still have their triggers intact, I do not understand what purpose they serve otherwise," he remarked.

He also clarified that the type of mines in question, such as the PMN2, originated in the 1970s, imported into Cambodia during the 1980s, and were entirely destroyed from stockpiles following peace agreements in 1990. International inspections confirmed the complete destruction of these mines.

Highlighting Cambodia’s dedication to mine clearance, Mr. Heng noted that over the past 33 years, CMAC has detected and destroyed more than 1 million anti-personnel mines, nearly 27,000 anti-tank mines, and over 3.2 million explosive remnants of war. As of July 2025, an area of 141 square kilometers has been cleared, removing 6,405 anti-personnel mines, 125 anti-tank mines, and 25,845 explosive remnants. The casualties caused by landmines have dramatically decreased from 4,320 in 1996 to just 49 in 2024.

Mr. Heng emphasized that Cambodia remains committed to fulfilling its international obligations as a state party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) and continues to prioritize clearing mine-contaminated areas that impact economic development, social welfare, and national security.

This briefing underscores Cambodia’s ongoing efforts in mine clearance and clarifies misconceptions related to landmine incidents, reinforcing the country’s commitment to peace, stability, and development.