Landmine clearing starts near Cambodian border
The Second Army Region that supervises the Northeast said on Sunday that combat engineers from the Suranaree Task Force carried out the operations from Sunday morning in response to a report that about 100 landmines were found in Thailand's Chong Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani after Cambodian soldiers had retreated.
The regional army command said combat engineers initially discovered landmines, seemingly planted to obstruct troop movements, along with cluster bombs capable of causing extensive damage. As a result, engineers exercised maximum caution during the clearing operations.
To support the mission, the team was equipped with heavy machinery, including armoured tractors. The goal was to ensure the safety of Thai soldiers stationed along the border. At the same time, evidence would be gathered to support claims that Cambodia had violated the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines, according to sources.
The operations followed a landmine explosion in Chong Bok area on July 16. Three soldiers were injured, including one who lost a foot. An investigation revealed that the explosive was among about 100 newly laid mines amid border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia.
Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, earlier said there would be retaliation for the landmine installation.
RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the government's Ad Hoc Center for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said on Sunday that the centre would have a full-panel meeting at the National Security Council on Monday to discuss findings from the landmine explosion investigation and subsequent responses.
Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, said on Sunday that Thai soldiers had discovered PMN-2 landmines — Russian-made devices not used by the Thai armed forces — in the Chong Bok area.
He added that Cambodia had shared photos and video clips as part of its accusation that Thai soldiers were responsible for laying the mines. However, Maj Gen Winthai clarified that the images and footage were actually from a training session conducted by personnel from the Thailand Mine Action Center. He called the accusation a distortion of facts that unfairly damaged Thailand's reputation.
Cambodia's claim that the mines were found on Thai soil, he noted, strongly suggested that they were planted by individuals who had illegally crossed into Thai territory.
In Bangkok on Sunday, demonstrators gathered at the Cambodian embassy to protest against the planting of the landmines that led to the July 16 detonation.
Leading the rally, Pichit Chaimongkol of the People and Student Network for the Reform of Thailand said the use of landmines violated the Ottawa Treaty and threatened the security of Thailand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Paetongtarn condemns Cambodia's 'first strike'
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has condemned Cambodia for initiating violence along the Thai border and declared her full support for all government, military and diplomatic retaliation measures within international legal frameworks. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, at 2.25pm, Ms Paetongtarn said Cambodia had violated international law and human rights principles by firing first and launching long-range attacks into Thai territory, affecting both officials and innocent civilians. "I condemn Cambodia for the use of violence and act of aggression along the Thai border, by which the Cambodian side initiated the use of arms and fired into Thai territory — impacting both officials and innocent civilians," she wrote. "Such action constitutes a clear violation of international legal norms, especially fundamental human rights and ethical principles." Ms Paetongtarn, who is also the culture minister, emphasised that Thailand had consistently pursued diplomatic dialogue with patience and restraint to prevent escalation, believing peace was the best path to resolving international conflicts. She confirmed her backing for responsive measures following security briefings. "I fully support all responsive actions taken by the government, the armed forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of international law and principles," she stated. The daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed hope that ongoing measures would swiftly end the violence and restore peace, while sending moral support to military personnel defending national sovereignty and civilians in affected areas. She urged citizens to follow government safety protocols to preserve lives and property, describing this as her "highest priority" amid the border crisis.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Thaksin accuses Hun Sen of ordering first strike
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has accused Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen of commanding the cross-border attacks that killed Thai civilians on Thursday, declaring Thailand now has legitimate grounds for military retaliation. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, at 12.17pm, Thaksin claimed Hun Sen ordered the morning bombardment of Thai territory after laying explosive traps along the border, violating international law and neighbourly ethics. The attacks left two Thai soldiers with severe leg injuries requiring amputations, along with civilian casualties. "Thailand has exercised patience and restraint, and we have been following international law and fulfilling our duties as a good neighbour," Thaksin wrote. "From now on, Thai forces can respond according to tactical plans, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can determine various measures with legitimacy." Thaksin's statement marks the strongest political response yet to the border clash, which saw Cambodian forces fire BM-21 rockets at Thai military positions and civilian areas, prompting the evacuation of up to 40,000 residents from 86 villages. Former prime minister Hun Sen commented in a Facebook post on Thursday: 'Cambodia's soldiers have no choice but to fight back.' He called on Cambodians to remain calm, adding that they did not need to buy rice to store in panic.
Bangkok Post
6 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Cambodian rockets kill four Thai civilians in two provinces
Four civilians have been reported dead in two separate incidents involving Cambodian rocket fire that struck communities in two Thai provinces on Thursday morning. Two people were killed and two injured when BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia struck a village in Kap Choeng district of Surin province, where evacuations of up to 40,000 residents to emergency shelters were under way. District chief Sutthiroj Charoenthanasak confirmed that two rockets struck the village at 9.40am while residents were awaiting evacuation. Four people were wounded, with two later dying at hospital: a 12-year-old child and an adult. Authorities were evacuating people from 86 villages to emergency shelters at schools in the neighbouring Prasat district. Mr Sutthiroj said shelter capacity was adequate and most evacuees had arrived safely. Officials have not yet surveyed the attack site due to concerns over continued Cambodian artillery fire, the district chief added. In Kap Choeng district of Surin, patients were being evacuated from Phanom Dong Rak and Kap Choeng hospitals after rockets fell near the Ta Muen temple ruins. Further casualty reports were not immediately available. In Si Sa Ket province, two people were reported killed and many other civilians hurt when Cambodian rockets fell into a supermarket at a petrol station in Ban Phue in Kanthararak district, provincial governor Watthana Phutthichat said. Fire and Rescue Thailand said the two deaths at the supermarket were students. A Thaipbs reporter said their bodies were found in the ruins. The 2nd Army Region posted a video of the incident on its Facebook page at 11.30am.
