BANGKOK – The Thai army has formally accused Cambodian forces of a recent border incursion and the deliberate laying of new anti-personnel landmines on Thai territory, following an explosion that severely injured four Thai soldiers. The incident occurred on Monday during a patrol in the Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, near the contentious border with Cambodia.

Thai Soldier Loses Foot in Border Landmine Blast, Tensions with Cambodia Flare

According to Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree, the soldiers were investigating a section where previously installed barbed wire barriers had been cut when one of them triggered a landmine. Sergeant Major Therdsak Samaphong lost the lower part of his right leg in the blast, while three other soldiers sustained shrapnel wounds and chest injuries from the force of the explosion. A subsequent search of the area uncovered three additional PMN-2 anti-personnel mines planted one meter apart.

🚨 🇹🇭🇰🇭 CAMBODIA'S "PEACE GIFT": SECRET LANDMINES FOR THAI SOLDIERS

Four Thai soldiers were injured in Sisaket Province when a newly-laid PMN-2 landmine exploded during a morning patrol.

The Royal Thai Army confirmed the device was hidden inside Thai territory and traced it to… https://t.co/gviRu9gSgy pic.twitter.com/bLgnzCuLzB

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 11, 2025

Maj-Gen Winthai stated that the Second Army is confident the mines were recently laid by intruding Cambodian troops, citing the area had been under Thai control since October 17th and had undergone prior demining operations. He described the act as clear evidence of hostility and a violation of the recent Joint Declaration aimed at easing tensions.

Thailand Suspends Peace Pact with Cambodia After Landmine Injures Soldiers

In response, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry issued a denial, asserting that the exploded device was an old landmine remnant from the country’s civil war over four decades ago. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to international conventions banning anti-personnel mines and expressed concern over Thailand’s subsequent suspension of joint activities. The exchange marks a significant escalation in border tensions, casting doubt on the durability of recent diplomatic agreements.

-Thailand News (TN)