By Michelle Ndaga
Three Thai soldiers were wounded on Saturday when a landmine exploded during a border patrol near Cambodia, just days after the two neighbors reached a detailed ceasefire agreement to end last month’s five-day armed clashes.
According to a Thai army statement, the soldiers were patrolling an area between Thailand’s Sisaket province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province when one of them stepped on a landmine. The blast severed the foot of one soldier and injured two others. All three were evacuated for medical treatment.
The incident comes less than a week after Thailand and Cambodia finalized terms of a ceasefire aimed at preventing further violence in the long-disputed border zone. The area, which includes the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple, has been a recurring flashpoint between the two countries, with sporadic skirmishes and reports of leftover mines from past conflicts.
Thai military officials said they are investigating whether the device was a remnant from earlier hostilities or a newly planted mine and have reinforced safety measures for troops operating in the area.
