Fresh Landmines Found Near Surin Ruins Prompt Visitor Alert, Ottawa Treaty Complaint
Thailand’s northeastern boundary has become the focus of renewed international scrutiny after fresh PMN-2 landmines were discovered near the ancient Khmer ruins in Surin province. What began as a routine patrol turned grave when two Thai sappers were injured, prompting an explosive ordnance disposal unit to uncover four newly laid mines mere centimetres from the first blast. With evidence set for diplomatic dispatch, Bangkok is preparing to escalate the issue at the next Ottawa Convention.
Quick Facts
• 4 PMN-2 mines found 30 cm from initial blast
• 2 sappers injured, prompting expanded search
• Bangkok to present evidence dossier at Ottawa Convention in Geneva
• Local TMAC teams now maintain 2 km clearance zones
Border Tensions Rekindled
Residents along the northeastern frontier felt the ground tremble under boots once more when two Thai sappers were wounded during a routine security sweep near Prasat Ta Kwai. The Royal Thai Army reported that the pair inadvertently triggered an PMN-2 anti-personnel mine, a stark reminder of lingering threats in areas once scarred by conflict.
The Discovery at Prasat Ta Kwai
After the initial explosion, EOD specialists retraced the patrol route and uncovered four additional PMN-2s buried in a straight line just 30 centimetres from the first crater. Such positioning points to a deliberate ambush, aimed at both military and civilian passage. Local villagers, who often forage for bamboo shoots nearby, were advised to avoid the forest track until professional clearance is complete.
Historical Echoes of PMN-2 Use
Although Thailand destroyed its last anti-personnel stockpile in 2003 under the Ottawa Convention, fresh PMN-2s have surfaced repeatedly since mid-2025. Official accounts record blasts in July, August, and November, with mines discovered near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Hill 350, and the ruins of Phnom Preah Vihear. Experts note these devices, made from low-metal plastic, can bypass standard detectors, hampering effective demining.
Legal Implications and International Response
Bangkok’s legal team has compiled a comprehensive dossier, featuring soil samples, shrapnel fragments, photographs, and GPS coordinates. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to submit a note verbale to Phnom Penh and present the case at the 2026 Ottawa Convention review in Geneva. Cambodia, which reported an inventory of 3,700 PMN-2s in 2024, now faces serious allegations of treaty violations.
Human Cost on the Frontline
Since January, at least 10 Thai soldiers have undergone amputations due to PMN-2 blasts. The youngest, a 19-year-old conscript, lost a leg while patrolling near Ban Bak Dai. Surgeons at Surin Hospital describe the RDX/TNT charge as capable of creating a metre-wide crater and pulverising bone, complicating prosthetic rehabilitation.
Next Steps and Safety Measures
Authorities urge villagers and travellers to report any suspicious mounds via the Army’s 1467 hotline. The Thai Mine Action Centre (TMAC) now conducts sweeps in a 2 km buffer along major border paths before events like the Surin elephant festival. Monks at Wat Ta Kwai have begun leading guided walks along cleared trails to reassure pilgrims.
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