After a landmine incident in the border area left four Thai soldiers injured, Bangkok has temporarily suspended the ceasefire with neighboring Cambodia. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the incident showed that hostilities had not subsided as expected. “After today’s incident, the cooperation cannot be continued for the time being.” It was also said that the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers agreed as part of the ceasefire would be temporarily stopped.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.Image: keystone
The neighboring countries only signed a peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump at the end of October. Trump had traveled specifically to the summit of the Southeast Asian community of states, Asean, in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. This was preceded by heavy fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border in July.
The Cambodian Defense Ministry said it regretted the incident. However, according to a report in the Khmer Times newspaper, it firmly rejected allegations that the landmines had been re-laid.
“Right to self-defense”
According to the Bangkok Post newspaper, one soldier lost a foot and three colleagues suffered moderate injuries due to landmines exploding in Si Sa Ket province. “The evidence leads to the conclusion that intruders secretly removed barbed wire and planted landmines on Thai territory to target personnel who regularly patrol there,” said military spokesman Winthai Suvaree.
Army chief Pana Klaewplodthuk emphasized: “The truth has now become clear: the hostile attitude continues. The Royal Thai Army is therefore forced to terminate all agreements in order to protect the right to self-defense against unfair acts.”
What is the agreement about?
The agreement provides, among other things, for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and joint mine clearance. In addition, 18 Cambodian prisoners of war imprisoned in Thailand should soon be released. However, Thailand accuses Cambodia of delaying the clearance and even laying new landmines.
At the end of July, there were days of fighting between the armed forces of the two countries on the 800-kilometer-long border, in which more than 40 people died and hundreds of thousands fled. The border conflict has been simmering for decades.
After Trump intervened and called the heads of government of both countries several times, Thailand and Cambodia agreed on an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire at a first meeting in Malaysia at the end of July. Trump had threatened them with economic consequences if the conflict was not resolved. (dab/sda/dpa)