Cambodia Cluster Bomb Victims Seek Justice, Urge International Condemnation of Thailand

Cambodian Cluster Bomb Victims Seek Justice, Urge International Condemnation of Thailand In Cambodia, the remnants of cluster bombs scattered by past Thai attacks continue to threaten the lives and safety of residents for many years. In response, victims and their families are strongly urging the international community to hold the Thai government and military accountable. This issue is drawing renewed attention ahead of an international conference on the implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (which entered into force in September 2010 and has 123 state parties), scheduled to be held in Vientiane, Laos, from September 14-18, 2026. Mr. Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), explained the situation via social media. According to him, while Cambodia and Thailand are not state parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Cambodia adheres to the spirit of the convention. In contrast, Thailand is reported to have dropped approximately 6 to 7 million cluster bombs on Cambodian soldiers and civilians during past conflicts. This is said to be equivalent to about 120,000 to 130,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells. The unexploded remnants of these cluster bombs continue to cause casualties among children and civilians, particularly in Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces. CMAC's research has identified 4,244 cluster munition impact sites across 335 villages, covering an area of 296,096 hectares. These lands include residential areas, farmlands, economic activity zones, and even social infrastructure sites, all facing the ongoing and future threat of cluster bombs of types M42, M46, and M85. Victims and their families, numbering approximately 90,000 households, are awaiting the realization of justice. They are calling for joint measures from the international community, especially state parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to condemn the Thai government and military for their use of cluster bombs against Cambodia during the 2025 conflict, and to ensure that those who violated international law are held accountable under this international legal framework. Source: CEN Cambodia