Thailand demands Cambodia ‘express regret’ for land mine blast that injured 4 soldiers

​​​​​​​By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Thailand has demanded that Cambodia express “regret” after a landmine blast wounded four Thai soldiers, resulting in suspension of a peace pact between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, the Thai Enquirer reported Tuesday.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Bangkok urged Phnom Penh to take three urgent actions, including expressing regret, conducting a thorough investigation, as well as implementing measures to prevent similar incidents.

Thailand suspended a peace agreement with Cambodia on Monday after the soldiers were wounded in a landmine explosion in the border province of Si Sa Ket.

The two countries had signed a peace agreement in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur last month.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an unconditional ceasefire July 28 at a trilateral meeting hosted by Anwar following weeks of hostilities.

The Thai Army claimed the anti-personnel landmine, a PMN-2, “was newly laid by Cambodian forces in the Huai Tamaria area, Kantharalak district.”

Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata expressed “regret” about the explosion but said patrolling by Thai soldiers was “into the minefield that is the remnants of past conflicts.”

Maly “firmly rejected” accusations that Cambodia laid new mines in the region, the Khmer Times reported.

Bangkok has lodged a protest with Phnom Penh through calls and is planning to submit formal letters to Cambodia, Japan. the UN chief, the US, Malaysia as the chair of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, and other member states.

It has also postponed the scheduled release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been in Thai custody since border clashes in July.