PHNOM PENH — The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that a mine explosion was heard in Chouk Chey Village, Banteay Meanchey province, but denied that the name of Shi Jingui, whom the Thai authorities identified as a victim, was listed in Cambodia’s Immigration Database.

On Nov. 30, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said that the 5th Military Region had reported that the Cambodian Border Defense Unit No. 503, stationed in Chouk Chey Village, O’ Bei Choan Commune, O’ Chrov District, had heard a mine explosion at 3:20 am on Nov. 29 in a minefield.

“An on-site investigation confirmed that the incident occurred within Cambodia’s minefield area, contaminated by the remnants of past conflicts,” she said

On Nov. 29, the Chinese Embassy of Thailand in Bangkok had posted a status report with an update on the condition of the victim, stating that a Chinese man was reported to have been injured along the Thai-Cambodia border.   

However, the victim’s name was not mentioned. The embassy wrote that the injured man’s condition was stable and that the embassy would “continue to monitor closely with Thailand's hospitals and relevant authorities and provide the Chinese with the necessary assistance.”

And yet, Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration overseeing outbound and inbound travelers did not find the name of Shi Jingui holding Passport Number 2356975263 who the Thai Authority claimed was a victim in the incident, Socheata said.

“The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia firmly denies any accusations made by Thailand regarding the incident,” she said. “The ministry underlines that Cambodia strictly adheres to international laws and has not laid new mines.”

The spokesperson reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to implementing the Joint Declaration for border peace. She also stressed the country’s ongoing efforts in mine clearance from the past conflicts to ensure the safety of residents and as part of activities under the United Nations framework.

Socheata also pointed out the humanitarian demining activity along the border to be conducted by the Cambodian Mine Action Center and the Thai Mine Action Center through the Joint Coordinating Task Force. The two centers have assessed and discussed the pilot zones in priority areas, which have led to positive results so far, she said.

The Cambodian authorities have repeatedly urged Thailand to strictly adhere to the existing agreements, according to which the activities must be conducted in line with the agreed Standard Operating Procedures.