- Three Thai soldiers were injured after stepping on a land mine in Sisaket province near the Cambodian border.
- Thailand accuses Cambodia of planting new mines, citing violations of the Ottawa Convention.
- Cambodia denies the allegations, pointing to its long history of mine clearance efforts.
Three Thai soldiers were injured on Saturday while patrolling near the Sisaket–Preah Vihear border, when one of them stepped on a land mine. The incident occurred just two days after both Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed a ceasefire agreement in Malaysia following last month’s deadly five-day conflict.
Cambodia has strongly denied the accusations, saying its forces have not planted new mines and highlighting its globally recognized record in mine clearance.
Ceasefire at Risk: Thailand-Cambodia Border Mine Blast Injures Soldiers
The explosion took place in Thailand’s Sisaket province, an area that has historically been contested due to its proximity to the Preah Vihear Temple region. This site has been at the center of several armed clashes over the past two decades, reflecting deep-rooted disputes over sovereignty and territory.
According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, this is the third mine-related injury incident in less than a month, with previous cases also leading to heightened tensions. The ministry has vowed to file an official complaint with Cambodia, citing both a breach of international law and an infringement of Thailand’s sovereignty.
Cambodia, while denying the allegations, stressed its adherence to the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Cambodian officials insist their forces have upheld the ceasefire and claim they are committed to peaceful resolution efforts despite the latest accusations.
Military analysts warn that without a transparent, independent investigation, the fragile truce could unravel. The proximity of the incident to the recent ceasefire commitment has heightened suspicions on both sides, making it critical to address the matter before tensions spiral into renewed conflict.
This latest border mine blast underscores how fragile the peace remains between Thailand and Cambodia, with mutual distrust threatening to undo recent diplomatic progress.
“In peace, vigilance is the guardian of stability.” — This reflects the delicate balance along the Thailand-Cambodia border, where even a single incident can reignite tensions.
