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Thailand
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3 Thai soldiers injured by landmine following ceasefire with Cambodia

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to allow observers from Asean to inspect disputed border areas and prevent further hostilities

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Thai soldiers inspect a border area in Ubon Ratchathani province, where the Royal Thai Army said two anti-personnel landmines were found, on July 20. Photo: AP
Reuters
Three Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine on Saturday while patrolling a border area near Cambodia, the Thai army said in a statement, days after the two neighbours agreed to a detailed ceasefire following a violent five-day conflict last month.

One soldier lost a foot and two others were injured after one of them stepped on a landmine as they patrolled an area between Thailand’s Sisaket and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear provinces.

The soldiers are being treated at a hospital, the army said.

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Thailand said the incident took place within its territory and in an area recently cleared of landmines. It added it would lodge a complaint against Cambodia for violating a treaty that bans the use of landmines and for infringing Thai sovereignty, the Thai foreign ministry said in a statement.

Both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories to the Ottawa Convention against landmines.

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Cambodia’s defence ministry said on Saturday that it “has yet to receive clear confirmation from Cambodian frontline forces concerning the explosion,” adding that its army has been strictly respecting the spirit of the ceasefire.

A statement issued in response by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority denied Thailand’s allegation that Cambodia had laid new mines.

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