Thailand warns soldiers that could be “self-defense” after explosion damage near Cambodia’s border
BANGKOK (AP) – Thai military warned that it may have to “exercise its right to self-defense” in response to ongoing incidents, which blamed Cambodia, where Thai soldiers patrolled along the borders of the two countries have been hurt by land mines.
A sergeant patrolled the border with seven other soldiers Tuesday morning when he “stepped on an anti-human landmine planted secretly on the side of Cambodia, causing serious injury to his left ankle,” a statement from Major General Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the Thai Army, said.
The incident and Thailand’s reaction show that the instability of the effective ceasefire is intended to end the five-day armed conflict with disputes on disputed territory along its borders. The battle killed dozens of people, including civilians, and displaced more than 260,000 people.
Tuesday’s mine incident was about a month old and the second time since the ceasefire. It takes place about 1 km (half mile) from Ta Muen Thom Temple in Thailand, which Thailand claims is located in its Surin province.
The region is a heavy battle scene in July, one of several borders that both countries claim to be themselves.
In another controversial area on Saturday, the Thai sergeant major suffered serious injuries, including the loss of his left foot, while two private injuries were less.
The Thai Army’s statement on the latest incident said: “This incident is clear evidence of a violation of the ceasefire agreement by the Cambodian side and does not show respect for international humanitarian law, especially the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use and placement of various types of anti-person mines.” Both countries are parties to the international agreement.
The statement pointed out several similar incidents and announced that Thailand “has always adhered to the peaceful approach, not the initiator.”
“However, if the situation becomes striking, it may be necessary to exercise the right of self-defense under the principles of international law to resolve the ongoing loss of personnel in Thailand due to ceasefire agreements and sovereignty encroachment of Cambodia’s military forces,” it warned.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense “absolutely, explicitly rejected the baseless, false and intentionally misleading allegations of Thai soldiers being injured,” said its spokesman Lieutenant Maly Socheata.
“As a proud and responsible state party of the Ottawa Convention, Cambodia maintains an absolute and uncompromising position: under no circumstances do we never use, produce or deploy new mines and we strictly abide by our obligations under international law,” she said.
Senior Minister and First Vice President of Cambodia’s Mining Operations and Victim Assistance Bureau noted that Cambodia has cleared more than 1 million mines and nearly 3 million other unexplored unexplored weapons, beginning in 1970 during more than 30 years of war and outright outbreaks of war.
In the past, Cambodia and Thailand clashed on their 800km (500 miles) border. Tensions have been growing since May a Cambodian soldier has been ripped off diplomatic rifts and deceived Thailand’s domestic politics.
