Reference News Network, July 24 report. According to the Associated Press on July 23, Thailand announced on July 23 the closure of border checkpoints in the northeastern border area with Cambodia, recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, in protest against a landmine explosion incident that resulted in a Thai soldier losing a leg.
The Thai military said in a statement that the incident that occurred on July 23 in Ubon Ratchathani Province also injured four other soldiers. Thailand attributed the cause of the explosion to Cambodia.
However, the Cambodian side stated that the explosion occurred in Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia. This area is a disputed territory on the border between the two countries.
After the explosion, the Thai government responded quickly. Deputy Prime Minister Puntip Vichaijai stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would submit an official protest to Cambodia and consider further measures.
Previously, three Thai soldiers were injured last week in another disputed border area after stepping on a mine.
The Thai military demanded Cambodia "to take responsibility for this incident," stating that the incident posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the border areas of the two countries. After the explosion last week, Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines.
But Cambodia refuted it as "baseless accusations."
A spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense stated that the mine explosion occurred on Cambodian territory and accused Thailand of violating the agreement on border patrols reached in 2000. (Translated by Wang Dongdong)
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