Cambodia broke Joint Declaration, Reaffirms release of 18 POWs must come only after hostilities end

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On November 17, 2025, at Santi Maitri Building, Government House, a statement on the Thai-Cambodian border situation was issued, by Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat Government Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvari, Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Ms. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce and Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

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Photo: NBT Connext

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Surasan addressed the incident in which Thai soldiers stepped on Cambodian landmines on November 10, 2015.   Between July 16, 2015, and November 10, 2015, seven soldiers suffered limb amphibious injuries, while 13 suffered shrapnel and blast injuries, total 20.   Thai investigations indicated that the bombings were aimed at cluster bombs, exhibiting lethality and persistent Cambodian behavior. The discovery of new types of mines and their placement on the surface suggests recently mined areas. Thailand as a party to the Ottawa Convention, consistently adhered to its provisions.   According to a report dated April 30, 2015, Thailand does not stockpile anti-personnel or research mines. He denied the claim that Thailand possesses mines.

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Regarding the areas where Thai mines have been discovered,   Over 99.5% of the mines in 27 provinces have been cleaned, with six remaining places that require additional surveys: Trat, Sa Kaeo, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.   Currently, clearance surveys are unfinished because of Cambodian obstacles of Thai bomb removal experts. Thailand has substantial evidence, including images and videos, that Cambodians possess PMN-2 and 72B anti-personnel mines ready for use in the Prasat Ta Kwai area. The Institute of Forensic Science determined that the recordings were genuine and came from the phones of Cambodian soldiers who retrieved the mines. Surasan stated that Cambodia has clearly breached the principles of the Joint Declaration between Thailand and Cambodia, which was signed by both country's Prime Ministers.

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Regarding Thai security operations, Surasan noted that it was important to suspend the actions agreed upon in the joint declaration, including the suspension of the action plan, as laid out at the special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on October 23rd.   This move aimed to remove heavy weaponry while continuing bomb disposal operations along the Thai-Cambodian border in 13 areas: Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Ban Nong Chan, and Ban Noen Sombun in Sa Kaeo Province; Chong Bok and Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani Province; Ban Sai Tho 10 Tai in Buriram Province; Chong Krang, Chong We, and Prasat Ta Kwai in Surin Province; and Ban Takang, Ban Khlong Muang, Ban Kho Sai, and Ban Cham Rak in Trat Province.   All of these places are under Thai sovereignty.   The release of the 18 prisoners of war will be the last step if Thailand confirms that Cambodia has stopped hostilities.

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