Thai Cluster Bomb Victims Seek Justice from International Community

Victims of cluster bombs used during past invasions by the Thai military are seeking justice from the international community. The issue is expected to be raised at the First Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) Review Conference, scheduled to be held in Vientiane, Laos, from September 14-18, 2026. Heng Ratana, Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), stated on social media that while Cambodia and Thailand are not states parties to the CCM, Cambodia adheres strictly to the spirit of the convention prohibiting the use of cluster bombs. He noted that the Thai side, however, extensively and brutally used cluster bombs against Cambodian troops and civilians, deploying approximately 6 to 7 million cluster munitions, fired from about 120,000 to 130,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells. Director-General Ratana further explained that the cluster bomb remnants have caused deaths and injuries to children and civilians in Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces. According to CMAC's research on the impact of cluster bomb remnants across 335 villages, there are recorded locations of cluster bomb remnants within 4,244 polygons, covering 296,096 hectares. These affected lands, including residential areas, villages, and agricultural lands, as well as socio-economic areas and infrastructure, face the threat of M42, M46, and M85 type cluster bombs, both in the immediate future and long-term. Concurrently, the CMAC Director-General also indicated that all victims, including families of those killed and injured, and approximately over 90,000 affected households, hold hope and await justice. They are making a strong plea to the international community, especially the states 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 war. They also request joint measures to ensure that perpetrators who violate the international law prohibiting the use of cluster bombs are absolutely held accountable before this international law. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer