Thailand will continue to suspend the implementation of the peace deal with Cambodia until Phnom Penh takes responsibility for the landmine explosion that injured four Thai army personnel last week, according to the spokesman of the Defence Ministry.
Spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri also reaffirmed that Thailand will release the 18 Cambodian prisoners of war it is holding only after Phnom Penh shows its sincerity and ceases its hostility toward Thailand.
Despite the absence of cooperation from Cambodia, he said Thai authorities will continue to clear landmines along the border, focusing on 13 priority locations inside Thai territory.
Speaking at a joint press conference with spokespersons from the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Police, Surasant reiterated earlier reports that the PMN-2 landmine that injured the army personnel was newly-planted in violation of the joint declaration signed recently by the leaders of the two countries in Kuala Lumpur.
Surasant also showed pictures of three live PMN-2 landmines allegedly recovered from the area in Katharalak District of Si Sa Ket province in the vicinity of the explosion.
