Bangkok, Thailand — Three Thai soldiers were injured on Saturday when one stepped on a land mine while patrolling near the Cambodian border, the Thai army announced, accusing Cambodia of violating an international ban on such weapons.
The blast in Sisaket province came just two days after Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending last month’s deadly border clashes.
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Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the incident “clearly demonstrates” the continued use of hidden mines in border areas, calling it “a significant obstacle” to peace efforts and a violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines.
Thailand’s foreign ministry claimed the explosion was the third such incident in less than a month and “confirmed” its suspicion that new mines were being laid in breach of international law.
Cambodia’s Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority rejected the accusation, saying it had “not, and will not, plant new land mines” and highlighting its internationally recognized record in clearing over one million mines from past conflicts.
The blast severely injured a Thai sergeant major, who lost his left foot, while two privates sustained minor wounds. Previous mine incidents have heightened tensions and sparked five days of clashes from July 24–28, the worst fighting between the neighbors in over a decade.
Artillery barrages and air strikes have killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 on both sides of the border.
A tenuous ceasefire has held since Thursday, when Thailand and Cambodia agreed to let ASEAN observers monitor contested border zones to prevent a resurgence of fighting.
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