Thailand, Cambodia trade blame over landmine blast

Thailand and Cambodia voiced different views on Monday over a landmine blast that injured four Thai soldiers, but both sides maintained diplomatic contact to manage the fallout.

Bangkok announced the suspension of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration — signed in Malaysia last month — after the explosion in Si Sa Ket Province, urging Phnom Penh to take responsibility for the incident.

Cambodia, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Thailand to promote peace and stability, while advising Thailand to exercise caution in areas with old minefields along the border with disputed land.

At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday, Thailand's National Security Council approved the suspension of the declaration and authorized further military operations.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told reporters on Tuesday that following an inspection of the blast site, "it has been confirmed that the landmines our soldiers stepped on were newly planted by the Cambodian side".

"Thailand has been fully committed to implementing the declaration, aiming for sustainable peace," he said. "However, Cambodia violated the declaration by planting landmines within Thai territory, breaching Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity and injuring Thai soldiers."

As a result, he said, Thailand decided to pause the implementation of certain elements of the declaration, including the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, until Cambodia demonstrates accountability and sincere commitment to preventing future recurrences.

Nikorndej confirmed that Thailand will continue unilateral activities within its territory, such as landmine clearance operations and the suppression of online scams.

On Tuesday morning, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense rejected Thailand's accusation of planting new landmines and urged the Thai side to avoid patrolling in old minefield areas.

The ministry emphasized that Cambodia has fully and consistently complied with the principles and obligations of international law, reaffirming that it has not used or placed any new landmines that could endanger civilians, state news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse reported.

Cambodia called on Thailand to avoid patrolling in old minefield zones, particularly areas internationally recognized as mine-contaminated because of past conflicts, warning that unexploded ordnance could trigger unnecessary tensions if detonated.

"The Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia remains committed to working closely with Thailand to promote peace and stability between the two countries, especially ensuring the security and safety of civilians, in accordance with the Joint Declaration," it said.

Defending border

The landmine blast prompted Anutin to order the armed forces to prepare to defend the border and the Interior Ministry to protect residents from possible clashes, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Tuesday.

Defense Minister Nattapon Nakpanich confirmed that the military had been authorized to take necessary action within Thailand's sovereign territory, but declined to discuss operational details, according to local news portal The Nation.

Asked whether Thailand would introduce retaliatory measures, spokesman Nikorndej said the situation would not escalate into confrontations as long as Cambodia demonstrated sincerity by taking responsibility in good faith.

"It's up to the military to assess the situation," he said.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn