Thailand has escalated tensions with Cambodia, withdrawing its ambassador to Cambodian and expelling the Kingdom’s representative to Thailand, after another landmine incident took place late this afternoon.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as interior minister, announced the escalation, following a 4.55pm landmine explosion this afternoon, which cost the leg of a Thai soldier on patrol.
The acting prime minister said that he had received a report from General Natthapol Nakphanit, deputy defence minister, reporting that a member of a patrol unit from the 14th Infantry Regiment stepped on a landmine in what the Thai’s called the Huai Bon area, in Anma Pass, Nam Yuen district, resulting in a soldier, Sgt. Pichitchai Boonkrach, losing his right leg. The injured soldier was evacuated at 5.18.
Phumtham announced that the Second Army Region and the Royal Thai Army proposed closing all border checkpoints under the army region’s control, prohibiting tourist crossings.
The Thai government responded by ordering the closure of these border checkpoints and also downgraded diplomatic relations by recalling Thailand’s ambassador to Cambodia and expelling the Cambodian ambassador. Further consideration of bilateral relations are reportedly underway, according to Thai media outlet, The Nation Thailand.
