The incident occurred near Erawan base in Surin province early this morning, resulting in Private Detchsak Tri-kham losing his right leg, with his left arm and left leg also severely injured by shrapnel. The soldier received first aid at the scene before being transferred to Kabcheang hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation by the Thai army indicated the landmine was "buried deep underground and covered by leaves", suggesting it had been in place for a long time and was not recently planted.
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A Thai soldier being transported to a hospital in Surin province, bordering Cambodia, on 27/2. Photo: Thai Army |
A Thai soldier being transported to a hospital in Surin province, bordering Cambodia, on 27/2. Photo: Thai Army
The Cambodia border region remains littered with unexploded ordnance from conflicts decades ago. This incident highlights the ongoing danger in an area already fraught with tension. Under a December 2025 ceasefire agreement, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to end hostilities, maintain military positions, and cooperate on demining along the border.
Tensions in the Cambodia - Thailand border region escalated into conflict in July 2025, resulting in at least 43 deaths and the evacuation of over 300,000 civilians on both sides during 5 days of fighting. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire and signed a peace agreement in Malaysia in October 2025. Since then, however, both nations have repeatedly accused each other of non-compliance with the agreement.
Fighting re-erupted in early December 2025, killing at least 23 people in Thailand and 32 in Cambodia, and displacing over 900,000 residents in both countries. Representatives from the Cambodia - Thailand Joint Border Committee signed a joint statement in late December 2025, reaffirming their commitment to fully implement the ceasefire.
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Thailand's Surin province borders Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. Graphic: Britannica |
Thailand's Surin province borders Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. Graphic: Britannica
Prime Minister Hun Manet on 17/2 accused Thai forces of still occupying several areas deep within Cambodian territory. Thai officials stated their current positions are maintained as a de-escalation measure, while rejecting accusations that Bangkok is occupying another nation's territory.
Thailand on 24/2 accused Cambodian forces of firing grenade launchers across the border, to which Thailand responded with its own volley of grenade fire. The Thai army suggested the incident may have resulted from Cambodian troop rotation, where newly arrived personnel lacked experience with regulations and command procedures, leading to operational errors.
Cambodia described this information as "fabricated and a serious distortion of the truth". Phnom Penh also reaffirmed its "steadfast commitment" to the December 2025 ceasefire agreement, as well as the truce reached two months prior.
By Huyen Le (According to AFP, Nation)
