Thailand Threatens to Suspend Truce Deal with Cambodia after a Land Mine Injures Troops
Bangkok. Thailand threatened on Monday to suspend a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, with the country's prime minister saying all actions under the deal will be halted, just hours after a land mine explosion in the volatile border area injured two Thai soldiers.
Thailand and Cambodia signed a truce agreement at a summit in Malaysia last month, after territorial disputes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors led to a five-day deadly combat in late July that killed dozens.
Tensions have simmered and there have been similar land mine explosions -- both before and after the clashes, including one that injured three Thai soldiers patrolling the border zone in August.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Monday’s incident shows that “the hostility towards our national security has not decreased as we thought it would,” adding that all actions to be carried out under the truce agreement will be halted until Thailand's demands are met.
He did not elaborate on Thailand's demands, and there was no immediate response from the Cambodian government.
Under the terms of the agreement, Thailand is to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and both sides are to begin removing heavy weapons and land mines from the border area.
The Royal Thai Army said a sergeant had lost his right foot after stepping on a land mine while on patrol Monday along the border in Sisaket province, while another soldier suffered a tightness in his chest from the impact of the blast. It said both soldiers were receiving treatment at a hospital.
Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit said the army is still investigating whether the mine was old or newly laid. He added that Thailand will postpone the release of the captured Cambodian soldiers, initially scheduled for later this week.
The two sides said there has been some progress on arms removal, but Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing the mine clearance process. Cambodia says it's committed to all terms in the agreement, including demining, and urged Thailand to release its soldiers as soon as possible.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the truce, which the Cambodian government denies.
The ceasefire was initially mediated by Malaysia, and US President Donald Trump later threatened to withhold trade privileges unless both Cambodia and Thailand agreed on a truce and the deal was signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in October.
Related Articles
Thailand-Cambodia Conflict Shows Dangers of Food Imports, Prabowo Says
Prabowo's comment comes not long after Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating a 10-day truce.Thailand Releases 18 Cambodian Prisoners of War as Part of Ceasefire Agreement
The soldiers’ release removes a major impediment toward that goal after two rounds of destructive combat over competing territorial claims.The Latest
Jakarta Stocks Plunges 5% Midday as Rupiah Hits Record Low at Rp 17,900
JCI plunged nearly 5% after the rupiah hit a record low against the US dollar, triggering a broad market selloff.Rupiah Hits Rp 17,926 Against US Dollar Amid Oil Surge and Geopolitical Risks
Rupiah fell to Rp 17,926 per US dollar as rising oil prices, Middle East tensions, and strong dollar demand weighed on sentiment.Indonesia to Cut Royalty Income Tax for Writers to 1.5%
The tax cuts will be available for authors who publish work with a clear International Standard Book Number (ISBN).Shinhan Bank Indonesia Launches Flazz Top-Up Feature on SOL Indonesia Application
Shinhan Bank Indonesia enables seamless Flazz top-ups via the SOL Indonesia mobile banking app.Prosecutors Confirm Raid on National Nutrition Agency Office
Indonesian prosecutors confirmed a raid on the National Nutrition Agency a day after President Prabowo replaced its leadership.Most Popular
