Thailand Cambodia At Conflict Again? 3 Thai Soldiers Injured In Landmine Explosion Near Border
Days after a ceasefire agreement, 3 Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine near the Cambodian border (Image courtesy: AI pic)
Three Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion on Saturday (August 9) while conducting a patrol near the Cambodian border, just days after both nations agreed to extend a fragile ceasefire in Kuala Lumpur, after one of their most lethal clashes in decades.
The Suranaree Task Force confirmed that three soldiers from the 111th Infantry Company sustained injuries after stepping on a landmine during a patrol intended to secure the route between Ban Don Ao and Ban Kritsana in Si Sa Ket province. The explosion occurred in Sisaket province at approximately 10 am local time, the Royal Thai Military stated.
Who were the Thai soldiers injured in landmine blast?
One soldier suffered a severe leg injury, another sustained wounds to his back and arm, while the third experienced significant ear trauma due to the blast’s pressure. As per the Nation Thailand, three injured personnel were identified as follows:
– Sergeant Major First Class Thani Paha, section commander, who sustained a grave injury resulting in the loss of his lower left leg.
– Private First Class Phakphum Chaisura, rifleman, who was wounded in the arm and back.
– Private First Class Thananchai Kraiwong, rifleman, who suffered blast-related pressure injuries affecting his eardrum.
How Thailand and Cambodia reacted to the news?
Thailand said the incident happened inside its borders, in an area that had recently been cleared of landmines. The Foreign Ministry in Bangkok said it plans to file an official complaint against Cambodia for breaking a treaty that bans landmines and for violating Thailand’s sovereignty.
The treaty, called the Ottawa Convention, is an international agreement that bans anti-personnel landmines.
Cambodia, on the other hand, denied the accusations saying it had not planted any new landmines. The country’s Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority said it is proud to be part of the Ottawa Convention and has already removed more than one million landmines from past conflicts.
What is Ottawa Convention on Landmines?
Usually referred to as the Ottawa Convention or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction is the international agreement that bans antipersonnel landmines.
The Convention was concluded by the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Land Mines at Oslo on 18 September 1997. In accordance with its article 15, the Convention was opened for signature at Ottawa, Canada, by all States from 3 December 1997 until 4 December 1997, and remained open thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until its entry into force on 1 March 1999.
Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire: What did the two sides agree upon in Malaysia?
A few days back, defence officials from Thailand and Cambodia convened in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and agreed to extend the ceasefire. They also committed to upholding international humanitarian law in the treatment of captured soldiers and pledged to facilitate the “dignified and timely return” of deceased individuals.
Nevertheless, Saturday’s incident has raised concerns regarding the ceasefire’s durability.
