Thailand Closes Border Crossings with Cambodia Amidst Landmine Incident

Strategic Insights -

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated as Thailand has closed its border crossings with Cambodia from northeastern provinces in response to a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier. The incident has sparked a swift response from the Thai government, with Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stating that the Foreign Ministry will make an official protest to Cambodia. The landmine was found to be Russian-made, a type not employed by Thailand's military.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thailand has closed its border crossings with Cambodia from northeastern provinces in response to a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier.
  • The incident occurred on a path that was mutually agreed upon to be safe, leading Thai authorities to suspect that the mine was newly laid by Cambodia.
  • The Thai government has made an official protest to Cambodia and is considering further measures, including withdrawing its ambassador from Cambodia.
  • Cambodia has rejected the Thai version of events, stating that the landmine explosion took place on Cambodian territory and that Thailand had violated a 2000 agreement regarding the use of agreed paths for patrols.
  • Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months, following an armed confrontation on May 28 that resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier.
  • The landmine incident has reignited historical enmity between the two nations, with nationalist passions flaring in both countries.
  • Cambodia has denied laying new mines along the border, attributing the casualties to leftover war explosives from the civil war that ended in 1998.

Statistics:

  • 5 Thai soldiers were wounded in the landmine incident, with one losing a leg.
  • 3 other Thai soldiers were wounded in a separate landmine incident just a week prior to the latest incident.
  • Nearly 20,000 Cambodians have been killed by leftover war explosives since the end of the civil war in 1970.
  • About 45,000 Cambodians have been injured by leftover war explosives since the end of the civil war in 1970.
  • Last year, there were only 49 deaths due to leftover war explosives, a sharp decline from the number of casualties in previous years.

Sources:

  • Association Press writer Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia contributed to this report
  • Thai Army statement
  • Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai's statement to the press
  • Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata