The Thai army is maintaining that the landmine, which exploded yesterday on Thai territory near the Cambodian border in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, injuring four Thai soldiers was planted recently by Cambodian soldiers.
The Cambodian government has claimed, however, that it was an old landmine, laid during the civil war more than four decades ago.
In the explosion, Sgt-Maj Therdsak Samaphong lost the lower part of his right leg. Pvt Watchara Panthana suffered serious chest pain from the force of the blast. Pvt Apirak Srichomchai, sustained leg injuries from shrapnel and Pvt Anucha Sucharee experienced eye irritation. All are being treated at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province.
Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree, the Army’s spokesman, told the media that the Second Army, which is in charge of border areas in northeastern provinces, is confident that the mine was laid recently by intruding Cambodian troops, who have already withdrawn following a brief clash.
He said Thai troops have been in control of the area since October 17th, have carried out demining operations and have built barbed wire barriers to prevent future incursions, adding that, on Sunday, a Thai patrol discovered that the barbed wire had been cut and, on Monday, a patrol and a bomb disposal squad were sent to the area to investigate. They triggered the explosion.
After the detonation, a second team and Si Sa Ket police went to the scene to investigate, said Winthai, adding that three more PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines were found, laid one metre apart.
The army spokesman said that the presence of live landmines is targeted at Thai patrols and are clear evidence of Cambodia’s lack of sincerity in efforts to ease border tensions.
They also reflect Cambodia’s hostility towards Thailand, which goes against the Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur, said Winthai, adding that the transgressions will inevitably have an impact on the relationship between the two countries.
The Cambodian Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday, denying that Cambodian troops had laid new landmines in the border area with Thailand, claiming that the landmine which exploded and injured Thai soldiers yesterday was old and laid during Cambodia’s civil war.
The ministry restated Cambodia’s determination to comply with the commitments agreed upon and stated in the agreement and to adhere to the Geneva Conventions strictly, which ban the use of anti-personnel landmines.
The ministry also expressed concern over Thailand’s suspension of all activities with Cambodia, as detailed in the Joint Declaration.
