Urgent efforts to recover modified artillery shells as "Landmines" in Trat
Royal Thai Navy condemns Cambodia’s actions of placing modified artillery shells as landmines to target Thai soldiers in Trat, violating international law
On December 19, 2025, Rear Admiral Parat Rattanachaiphan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, condemned the actions of the Cambodian military for clandestinely placing modified landmines intended to kill Thai soldiers in the area around Ban Nong Ree (Ban Sam Lang) in Trat. The mines were reportedly modified from artillery shells, a violation of international humanitarian law.
Following the successful operation by the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command (CTBDC) on December 18, 2025, which expelled Cambodian troops from the area, the Thai Navy’s Mine Clearance Unit and CTBDC engineering units conducted a search and recovery operation.
During the operation, they discovered alarming evidence, including:
- Cambodian-language documents detailing the use and characteristics of the PMN-2 and POMZ-2 anti-personnel mines.
- Three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
- Over 340 items of abandoned weapons and explosives.
- Modified 105mm artillery shells turned into anti-personnel landmines with electrical fuses and wiring systems designed for simultaneous detonation.
The manner in which these landmines were set up reflects the Cambodian military’s clear intent to cause significant harm to Thai soldiers, potentially impacting civilians in the area indiscriminately. This act is a blatant violation of basic principles of international humanitarian law and conventions related to the prohibition of anti-personnel landmines.
The evidence recovered represents only part of the mines discovered by the explosive ordnance disposal team, and it is feared that many more may still be buried in the area.
The Royal Thai Navy affirms that such actions are unacceptable in the international community and urges Cambodia to take responsibility for these actions. Thailand also calls for an immediate cessation of any actions that endanger the lives of military personnel and innocent civilians. The Navy will continue its efforts to recover and destroy the explosives in the area to ensure the highest level of safety for both soldiers and the public, while reserving the right to take legal and international action in response.
