Military explosion results in another amputation of a Thai soldier's limb
Recent landmine explosions along the Thai-Cambodian border have left several Thai soldiers injured, raising concerns about a potential escalation of the longstanding border dispute between the two countries.
Incidents and Injuries
The most recent explosion occurred on Tuesday morning near Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province. The incident resulted in a paramilitary ranger losing a leg, and 12 other soldiers were injured. This adds to the 16 Thai soldiers who have been injured in landmine explosions since an unspecified time.
The timeline of these incidents dates back to July 2025, with two landmine incidents on July 16 and 23 causing injuries to Thai soldiers. The July 23 explosion was particularly severe, injuring five troops, one of whom lost a leg.
Border Conflict and Diplomatic Tensions
The border conflict escalated after a brief exchange of gunfire at a disputed area in late May, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The landmine explosions are seen as a violation of the ceasefire agreement established in July 2025, following a deadly five-day conflict.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of breaching the ceasefire and international mine-ban agreements, and has presented evidence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international presentation at the Ottawa Convention Committee Meeting. Cambodia, however, has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the landmine incidents.
Regional Concerns and Impact
The ongoing tensions have led to border crossings being closed and diplomatic relations strained, with both countries recalling ambassadors in response to the escalating violence. The situation has drawn concern regionally, as it risks destabilizing ASEAN security and heightens the risk of renewed armed conflict.
Evidence of Violations
In August 2025, the Thai Navy’s Humanitarian Mine Action Unit found a Cambodian soldier’s mobile phone near Phu Makua containing video, photo, and audio evidence of Cambodian soldiers handling and planting PMN-2 landmines illegally.
Current Diplomatic Standing
ASEAN and international observers are closely monitoring the situation, with pressure on both nations to resume dialogue and avoid further military escalation. The use of landmines by Cambodia violates the Ottawa Treaty, an international agreement banning anti-personnel mines.
In summary, from May to August 2025, landmine incidents near the Thai-Cambodian border have injured Thai soldiers and been attributed to Cambodian forces. The discovery of photographic and video evidence has escalated diplomatic actions, as Thailand seeks to hold Cambodia accountable for violations of international law while the peace and stability of the border region remain fragile.
- The escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has initiated a series of concerns that extend beyond war-and-conflicts, as the tensions have resulted in car-accidents, such as the recalling of ambassadors due to strained diplomatic relations.
- The general-news headlines regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute have expanded to include crime-and-justice issues, with Thailand presenting evidence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alleging Cambodia's breach of the ceasefire and international mine-ban agreements.
- The ongoing border conflict has also brought accidents into the spotlight, as incidents like the landmine explosions that have injured soldiers pose a risk to the civilian population and threaten to renew armed conflict in the region, affecting both ASEAN security and the stability of general-news headlines.
