On 4 December 2008, Mr. Norachit Sinhaseni, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Virachai Plasai, Director-General, Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, and Mr. Chakarin Chayabongse, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Organizations gave a press briefing on the results of the 9th Meeting of State Parties to the Mines Ban Convention (9MSP), held in Geneva during 24-28 November 2008. Gist as follows:
The Meeting agreed with Thailand’s request to extend her mine clearance timeframe, in accordance with Mines Ban Convention, which faced many unforeseen obstacles for another nine and a half years (from 1 May 2009 to 1 November 2018). Thailand also reaffirmed her active role in undertaking mine victim assistance and her commitment to the Convention.
Regarding recent border incidents between Thailand and Cambodia, Thailand took this opportunity to clarify the fact and seek support from Mines Ban Convention’s States Parties on the matter by stating that Thailand had submitted a demarche to Cambodia on 17 October, after two Thai military rangers stepped on newly planted landmines on 6 October 2008. In response, Cambodia had circulated her replied note to all States Parties on 21 November 2008. Thailand were disappointed that though Cambodia sent a formal reply just shortly ahead of this Meeting, such reply still fell short of addressingThailand’s legitimate concerns. Instead, Cambodia’s reply could only be interpreted as an attempt to evade the crux of the matter by introducing a number of issues that are extraneous to the Mine Ban Convention. In particular, Cambodia resorted to highlight the boundary issue, for which there already exists a proper bilateral mechanism. Thailand therefore felt strongly that the main question facing this meeting is not where the incident occurred, but rather how and why it occurred.
Thailand had no intention of accusing any state party or politicizing this matter. Thailand had exercised utmost restraint to avoid jumping to conclusion. Rather, Thailand had taken the appropriate step to request clarification from Cambodia via bilateral channel of submitting a demarche. Although, Thailand accepted Cambodia’s proposal to finish their investigation starting from 20 October 2008, Thailand was still ready to consider any options, including the setting up of an international fact finding team entrusted with a precise mandate, with the participation of the third parties and non-governmental organizations.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.