On the 11th, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin chaired a National Security Council meeting to discuss the incident on the 10th in which Thai soldiers were injured by landmines in the border area.
Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon revealed after the meeting that three main topics were discussed.
He stated that Thai soldiers were injured by landmines within Thai territory, which is an unacceptable incident and the government strongly condemns it. Secondly, the discovery of landmines within Thailand's sovereign territory constitutes an infringement of Thai sovereignty. Third, the government will make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure the safety of Thai citizens and soldiers.
He said that the meeting decided to suspend the implementation of all provisions of the 'Thailand-Cambodia Peace Joint Declaration', as well as the transfer of prisoners of war to Cambodia.
Natthaphon also clearly pointed out that Thailand will no longer engage in negotiations with Cambodia.
He stated: "No, there will be no further meetings between the Ministry of Defense or the Thailand-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC), but international communication mechanisms will be maintained at the diplomatic level."
When asked whether there was still hope for sincerity from the Cambodian side, Natthaphon said: "The Thai military has never expected sincerity from the Cambodian side; we will only take actions within the scope of Thai sovereignty."
Military Action Based on the Situation
Regarding whether Thai military measures will escalate, he said: "Since the declaration has been suspended, it means we can carry out military actions within Thai territory, but the specifics of these actions are not convenient to disclose."
He assured that should an incursion occur, Thailand will issue a warning according to procedure and may respond progressively from light to heavy weaponry.
He emphasized: "The National Security Council has approved that the military may take action as the situation requires."
The Landmine Incident Seriously Violates the Declaration
On the other hand, after the meeting, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak also pointed out that this incident constitutes a serious breach of the 'Thailand-Cambodia Peace Joint Declaration'.
He said that the Thai position is to suspend all bilateral cooperation under the declaration, but Thailand may continue to conduct humanitarian demining operations unilaterally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a formal protest to Cambodia and file a complaint under the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines.
He revealed that he had already spoken by phone with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, emphasizing that this incident "should not have happened and is a violation of the agreement between both sides". He has also briefed the United States and Malaysia, who witnessed the original declaration, on the reasons for Thailand's suspension of the declaration.
He indicated that Thailand will inform the international community of the facts to ensure the legitimacy and transparency of its actions.
He said: "If the Cambodian side wishes for the declaration to be reinstated, it must accept responsibility, issue an open apology, thoroughly investigate the incident, and prevent similar events from recurring."
He emphasized that Thailand will decide whether to further escalate measures depending on Cambodia's response.
In response to Cambodia's claim that the mines were "legacy issues from history", Sihasak said: "Although they explain it this way, we consider this explanation to be insufficient and unacceptable. What happens next depends on how the Cambodian side responds."