SI SA KET – Three Thai soldiers were injured after a landmine exploded during a regular patrol near the Thai-Cambodian border in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket, on Saturday morning.
The explosion happened around 10am in the Chong Don Ao-Krissana area, about 1.8 kilometres from Phu Makua, according to the 2nd Army Region Operations Centre. The site had been cleared of mines just five days earlier and is a well-used patrol route inside Thai territory.
The group from Infantry Company 111 was out putting up barbed wire when the landmine went off. Sgt Maj First Class Thani Paha led the patrol, with two privates alongside. Sgt Maj Thani lost his left foot in the blast.
Pvt Pakpoom Chaisura hurt his arm and back, and Pvt Thananchai Kraiwong suffered a concussion and a burst eardrum. All three were sent to hospital for treatment.
Just five days before, army engineers had swept the area and boosted security at Phu Makua, a location that used to be held by Cambodian forces. That sweep found 18 Russian-made PMN-2 anti-personnel mines (16 stored and two armed), along with a large supply of grenade launcher rounds and RPG rockets. Soldiers removed everything they found.
Cambodia Denies Laying New Mines
Following Saturday’s explosion, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Cambodia of laying new mines and said it would file an official protest. Cambodia’s defence ministry replied it had not confirmed anything from its frontline soldiers and insisted it was honouring the ceasefire agreement.
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority also denied planting any new mines.
Thailand and Cambodia had signed a 13-point ceasefire deal just days before, aiming to ease border tensions and support peace. The agreement came after three days of talks at a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the latest incident proved that armed clashes were still happening in hidden ways along the border. He called the landmine blast a clear breach of the Ottawa Treaty by Cambodia.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai explained the blast happened in an area being cleared for better border security and to stop illegal crossings. He offered support to the wounded soldiers and confirmed the details had been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring up under the Ottawa Convention.
He stressed that clearing mines set by Cambodia would continue, with extra care, sharing that more than 400 landmines had already been removed from Surin province.
He also told security forces to stay alert and connected the blast to growing border clashes and new mine planting by Cambodia. The issue will come up at the next Regional Border Committee meeting, where teams will pick spots for joint mine clearance work.
However, Cambodia has so far rejected joint clearance as a condition. Mr Phumtham said more talks are planned.
Four Landmine Incidents Involving Thai Troops This Year
- 16 July: Pvt Thanaphat Huiwan lost a leg and two other soldiers were injured at Hill 481 in Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani.
- 23 July: Sgt Maj 1st Class Phichitchai Boonchula lost a leg at Chong An Ma, Ubon Ratchathani.
- 28 July: Sub Lt Kiarttiwong Satawon lost a leg in an incident at Ta Kwai temple, Surin.
- 9 August: Sgt Maj 1st Class Thani Paha lost a leg and two others were wounded in Chong Don Ao-Krissana, Si Sa Ket.
Clearing mines from border areas remains a major goal for Thai authorities, especially after several serious injuries in recent weeks. Talks with Cambodia on safe removal and future prevention are ongoing.
