Discussion of Landmines at United Nations with Participation of Cherdchai

In a significant development, the United Nations (UN) has been drawn into a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the use of landmines along their shared border. The UN Secretary-General, Antoño Guterres, held a meeting to discuss the matter following a formal request from Thailand's ambassador to the UN, Cherdchai Chaivaivid.

The meeting centred around the potential violation of the Ottawa Convention by Cambodia's use of landmines in the border region. The Ottawa Convention, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.

Thailand has expressed grave humanitarian concerns over landmine incidents on its territory. In the past few weeks, clashes along the border have resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides. This incident marked the sixth Thai soldier to lose a limb since mid-July due to landmines. On August 27, a Thai soldier lost his leg after stepping on a landmine near Hill 350, close to Ta Kwai temple ruins and the border with Cambodia.

Cherdchai Chaivaivid presented footage to Guterres showing Cambodian soldiers handling PMN-2 type landmines. The demand for the UN to investigate Cambodia's use of landmines at the border refers to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and was directed by relevant international authorities or the UN itself.

Cambodia, a party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, is specifically bound by Article 8 (2) of the treaty, which prohibits the use of landmines. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has expressed readiness to support demining efforts in the region.

Nations such as the United States, China, and Malaysia have been engaging in diplomatic activity to maintain the truce between Thailand and Cambodia. The international community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution and an end to the use of landmines along the border.