Cambodia has rejected accusations that its troops planted new landmines along the Thai border, following an explosion in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province that injured three soldiers, one of whom lost a leg, The Nation reported.
In a statement released today, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the blast in the Huai Ta Maria area of Kantharalak district was likely caused by old landmines left over from past conflicts.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically denies the allegations by Thailand that new landmines have been laid by Cambodia at the border,” the ministry said.
It added that many minefields from Cambodia’s civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s remain uncleared due to challenging terrain and undemarcated border zones.
The ministry also voiced concern over reports that Thailand had suspended the implementation of a peace agreement signed just two weeks ago in Kuala Lumpur by the prime ministers of both countries. The deal, witnessed by US President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, aimed to ease tensions along the border.
According to Cambodian officials, Bangkok cited Monday’s explosion near the Phnom Trop area, close to Preah Vihear Temple, as the reason for freezing the accord and canceling the planned release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Reaffirming its commitment to the October 26 Joint Declaration, Cambodia said the agreement had been “widely applauded by the international community” and reiterated its adherence to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
“Cambodia has never used new landmines and will never do so,” the statement concluded.
