The Thai military has accused Cambodia of laying new anti-personnel landmines along the undemarcated Thai-Cambodian border at Chang Bok Pass, after three Thai soldiers were injured last Wednesday when one of them stepped on a landmine.

One of the soldiers, Private Thanapat Huaiwan, sustained a serious injury to his left leg, which had to be amputated. He was promoted to a sergeant and received around 900,000 baht in compensation along with a 50,000-baht royal donation. Once he completes his treatment, he will receive a monthly allowance of 15,600 baht and other assistance as a veteran.

Sergeant Patipat Srilasak and Private Nattawut Srikhem sustained minor injuries. They will receive compensation of 10,000 baht each.

Tension has been brewing in the Chong Bok area since 28 May, after a clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed at the border. While Thailand insisted on pursuing bilateral negotiations through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism, Cambodia has announced that it is taking the cases of the Emerald Triangle and of the Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Tot, and Ta Kwai temples before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand has repeatedly asserted that it has not accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction since 1960.

Cambodia previously denied that its troops recently planted anti-personnel landmines in the Chong Bok Area. ThaiPBS World reported that according to a statement issued on Friday (18 July) by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), claims that the landmines were planted by Cambodian troops are unfounded and unverified.

The Nation reported on Saturday (19 July) that, according to 2^nd Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, an inspection of the Chong Bok area found eight recently-planted landmines. He said that the clear markings on the mines and their placement on the surface suggested they were new, and claimed that they were found on Thai soil, between 100 – 150 metres beyond the Cambodian military’s deployment line.

Lt Boonsin said that the findings would be reported to the Army Operations Centre, and then to the government. He also said that it is the 2^nd Army Region’s duty to retaliate, adding that the Army can proceed without waiting for an order from the government.

Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said on Saturday (19 July) the placement of the landmines is a violation of the Ottawa Convention, which aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines. The government would be receiving a report of the situation to lodge a formal protest note with the UN. The Army will also be sending troops to conduct further inspections and clear the mines.

On Sunday (20 July), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement condemning the use of anti-personnel mines as “a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand.” It called the use of anti-personnel mines an “outright breach” of international law and a clear violation of obligations under the Ottawa Convention. As a state party, Thailand will be taking action in accordance with said Convention while continuing to use bilateral channels to “resolve our differences with Cambodia.” It also called on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border.