BANGKOK — A newly fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has come under renewed strain following a series of landmine incidents near their contested border.
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On August 9, three Thai soldiers were injured when one stepped on a landmine while conducting a patrol between Sisaket province and Preah Vihear in Cambodia. One soldier lost a foot, another suffered injuries to the arm and back, and a third sustained ear trauma and a concussion.
Only days later, on August 12, a separate incident occurred: a sergeant stepped on a device near the Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin province, resulting in severe damage to his left ankle. These are the fourth and third mine-related incidents, respectively, in recent weeks—despite a ceasefire that began on July 29 after five days of deadly skirmishes that claimed dozens of lives and displaced more than 260,000 people.
Claims and Counterclaims
The Thai military has accused Cambodia of planting new mines, citing violations of the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines. “This incident serves as clear evidence that the Cambodian side has violated the ceasefire agreement and shows no respect for international humanitarian law,” stated army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree. He warned that Thailand may invoke its right of self-defence under international law if such violations continue.
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In response, Cambodia firmly denied the accusations. The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the Ottawa Convention, insisting it has not produced, deployed, or used new landmines. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority cited its ongoing clearance efforts, which have removed more than 1 million mines and nearly 3 million other unexploded ordnance left from decades of conflict.
Diplomatic Tensions and Ceasefire Fragility
These incidents have severely tested a ceasefire brokered by ASEAN mediation in late July. Despite concerted diplomatic efforts—including intervention by the U.S. President and ASEAN observers deployed to monitor the ceasefire—the border remains volatile. Thailand’s military has escalated its warnings, citing the landmine incidents as significant obstacles to peace.
The border region, long disputed over ownership of temple sites like Ta Muan Thom and Preah Vihear, continues to reflect deep-rooted territorial tensions. The repeated violations and conflicting narratives underscore how delicate the truce remains, with both countries trading blame and international observers on high alert.
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Sources: Associated Press, Thai PBS World, Reuters, Al Jazeera
