Thailand to sue Cambodia at ICC over landmine incidents

Thailand has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Cambodia at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over recent landmine incidents along their shared border, clarifying that the case will not be brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub addressed the issue on Monday, August 11, following a serious incident on August 9, when three Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine allegedly planted by Cambodian troops near the Chong Don Ao–Krissana Pass in Si Sa Ket’s Kanthalak district. One soldier suffered severe injuries, losing his left ankle in the blast, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Jirayu emphasised that Thailand has not accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ since 1960, explaining, “Thailand will file a lawsuit in the ICC, accusing Cambodia of committing war crimes by intentionally harming civilians.”

His remarks responded to recent Cambodian criticism accusing Thailand of hypocrisy for refusing ICJ jurisdiction in border disputes while planning legal action against Cambodia.

This August 9 event marks the third landmine incident in less than a month involving Thai troops allegedly harmed by mines planted by Cambodian forces. Jirayu noted that Thai forces had cleared landmines from the area long ago, indicating that the explosives must have been newly laid.

He also pointed out that the incident violates the Ottawa Convention on landmines. The attack occurred just two days after a General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Cambodia rejected Thailand’s proposal for a joint landmine clearance operation along the border.

In diplomatic responses, Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva sent a formal protest letter to the chair of the Ottawa Convention. Meanwhile, Thailand’s ambassador to the UN in New York met with the chair of the Ottawa Convention and the UN secretary-general to request action against Cambodia for treaty violations.

By Khagan Isayev