Thailand Warns of Possible ‘Self-Defense’ After Land Mine Blast Near Cambodian Border

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Center-Leaning

Why: Presents statements from both Thailand and Cambodia in equal detail without favoring either side, focusing on factual military and diplomatic developments.

Thai Army Issues Warning After Border Incident

The Thai army has warned it may “exercise the right of self-defense” following a land mine explosion that severely injured a soldier near the Cambodian border. The incident occurred Tuesday morning, less than two weeks after a ceasefire was declared to end recent armed clashes between the two countries.

According to Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, the injured soldier — a sergeant — was patrolling with seven others when he stepped on an anti-personnel land mine allegedly planted by Cambodian forces. The blast caused severe injuries to his left ankle.

Ceasefire Under Strain

The explosion marks the fourth land mine incident in about a month, and the second since the July 29 ceasefire. The agreement was intended to stop five days of fighting that killed dozens, including civilians, and displaced more than 260,000 people.

The blast took place about 1 kilometer from Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province, an area claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia. The site was one of the main battlegrounds in the July clashes.

Previous Weekend Incident

Just days earlier, on Saturday, a Thai sergeant major lost his left foot in another disputed area after stepping on a land mine. Two other soldiers suffered less severe injuries.

Thai Army’s Accusations

In its statement, the Thai army accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire and international law, specifically the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel land mines. Both countries are signatories to the treaty.

Thailand insisted it has not initiated any aggressive action along the border and has pursued peaceful measures. However, the statement warned that continued violations and injuries to Thai personnel could force a response under international law.

Cambodia’s Denial

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry dismissed Thailand’s allegations as “baseless” and “deliberately misleading.” Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said Cambodia has never used, produced, or deployed new land mines and remains fully committed to its treaty obligations.

She emphasized that Cambodia has cleared over a million land mines and nearly 3 million unexploded ordnance items since the end of its decades-long internal conflicts.

Ongoing Border Tensions

The 800-kilometer border between Thailand and Cambodia has been a source of dispute for decades. Skirmishes and political tensions have flared periodically, often linked to contested territories near ancient temples. Tensions rose earlier this year after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May during a confrontation, sparking diplomatic friction and intensifying domestic political debates in Thailand.

International Context

The Ottawa Convention, formally known as the Mine Ban Treaty, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Both Thailand and Cambodia are bound by their terms, which include commitments to destroy existing stockpiles and clear mined areas.

Thailand’s warning to potentially act in “self-defense” highlights the fragility of the current ceasefire and the possibility of renewed hostilities if incidents continue.