The Bitter Irony of Cambodia’s Landmine Legacy: From Clearance Champion to Alleged Violator

 

The Bitter Irony of Cambodia’s Landmine Legacy: From Clearance Champion to Alleged Violator

In the shadow of the Ottawa Treaty and decades of humanitarian mine clearance, recent allegations against Cambodia have cast a dark irony over its international reputation. Thailand’s military claims that Cambodian forces have planted new anti-personnel landmines along disputed border zones—injuring Thai soldiers and reigniting tensions that many hoped were buried with the mines themselves.

This is not just a geopolitical flare-up. It’s a symbolic rupture in Cambodia’s carefully cultivated image as a post-conflict nation committed to peace, reconstruction, and the eradication of indiscriminate weapons. 

The irony is sharp: a country that once bore the brunt of Cold War proxy violence and became a global poster child for mine clearance now stands accused of deploying the very tools it vowed to eliminate.

A Legacy of Mines—and Redemption

Cambodia’s terrain is scarred by more than 1 million landmines and 3 million pieces of unexploded ordnance, remnants of civil war and foreign intervention from the 1970s onward. The Khmer Rouge era, Vietnamese occupation, and Cold War entanglements turned the countryside into a deadly labyrinth. 

For decades, children, farmers, and civilians paid the price.

But Cambodia also became a beacon of hope. The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and international partners like HALO Trust and MAG made extraordinary progress. By 2020, Cambodia had cleared vast swathes of land, trained thousands of deminers, and dramatically reduced mine-related casualties. 

Hun Sen’s government frequently touted this success in global forums, positioning Cambodia as a humanitarian leader.

Treaty Commitments and Moral Authority

Cambodia is a signatory to the Ottawa Convention, the international treaty banning anti-personnel mines. It has submitted regular compliance reports, hosted mine action conferences, and received praise from the UN and NGOs. Its moral authority on mine issues has been central to its diplomatic identity.

Which makes the current allegations all the more jarring.

According to Thai military sources, Russian-made TM-57 and PMN-2 mines—not remnants from past conflicts—were recently planted in Thai territory near Ubon Ratchathani. The mines were found in strategic patterns, lightly concealed, and located in areas previously declared safe. Thai investigators claim this is deliberate and recent. Cambodia denies the charges, insisting it has not and will not deploy new mines.

The Political Calculus

Why would Cambodia risk its reputation?

The answer may lie in the Chong Bok border dispute, where tensions flared in May 2025, resulting in casualties on both sides. Cambodia claims historical sovereignty over the area and has requested adjudication by the International Court of Justice—a move Thailand rejects. 

The alleged mine-laying could be a tactical deterrent, a signal of territorial assertion, or a rogue military decision outside Phnom Penh’s direct control.

But even if the act was localized, the implications are global. Planting mines in disputed zones violates not only the Ottawa Treaty but also the spirit of post-conflict reconciliation. It undermines decades of progress and risks turning border diplomacy into a battlefield.

The Irony in Full View

Hun Sen’s Cambodia has long used its mine clearance achievements to deflect criticism of authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses. The narrative of rebuilding from war—of turning swords into ploughshares—has been central to its legitimacy.

Now, that narrative is cracking.

If the allegations are true, Cambodia has not only breached international law but also betrayed the very victims whose suffering it once vowed to end. The irony is brutal: a government that once cleared mines for peace may now be laying them for power.

What Comes Next?

Thailand is rightly preparing to escalate the issue through the United Nations and bilateral channels. The Royal Thai Army demands accountability, and civil society groups are calling for independent verification. If proven, Cambodia could face sanctions, reputational damage, and loss of donor support for mine action programs.

For advocates and policymakers, this is a moment to reaffirm the principles of the Ottawa Treaty—not just in words, but in enforcement. Landmines are not just weapons; they are symbols of indiscriminate violence, long-term suffering, and broken trust.

Cambodia must choose: uphold its legacy as a mine clearance champion, or become a cautionary tale of hypocrisy and regression.

UK-Funded Clearance: A Stark Contrast

Adding to the bitter irony is the fact that Cambodia’s mine clearance efforts are heavily funded by the UK Government and taxpayer, which has invested approximately £60 million since 1993 to help rid the country of anti-personnel mines. 

Through the Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP), British organisations like MAG and The HALO Trust have worked alongside Cambodian authorities to clear over 151 million square metres of contaminated land, benefiting more than 600,000 people.

Questions raised now as to what funds has Cambodia spent on new mines? And armoury surveys? The last 4 ASEAN members sign Ottawa - SG, Brunei, Vietnam and Myanmar?

As recently as February 2024, the UK committed an additional £17 million to MAG and HALO for mine clearance across eight countries—including Cambodia. This funding supports not only demining but also risk education, community safety, and economic development through land restoration. The UK’s Development Minister called landmines “a nightmare,” reaffirming Britain’s commitment to a mine-free world.

So when Cambodia stands accused of planting new mines, it’s not just a breach of international law—it’s a betrayal of the very partnerships and funding that have helped it rebuild. The contradiction is glaring: while British-funded teams risk their lives to remove mines, Cambodian forces allegedly lay new ones in contested terrain.