Thai PM Halts All Cambodia Agreements After Soldiers Injured by Landmine
BANGKOK, Nov 10 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an immediate suspension of all agreements with Cambodia after a Thai soldier sustained serious injuries, including the loss of a leg, from a landmine while on patrol near the border.
The Prime Minister, who also serves as Interior Minister, said he fully endorsed the swift action taken by the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces.
"The current course of action will be stopped until there is clarity," Mr. Anutin told reporters, adding that he would instruct the Defence and Foreign Ministries "to only proceed with what Thailand wants."
The incident has caused a sharp reversal in relations, which had shown signs of improving.
"What has happened makes us think that hostility toward Thailand, toward security threats, would decrease. It has not," Mr. Anutin stated firmly. "When it has not decreased, we cannot proceed with anything beyond this. I confirm that all operations must stop."
Thai PM Halts All Cambodia Agreements After Soldiers Injured by Landmine
Defence Minister Gen. Natthapol Nakpanich revealed that the soldiers were injured in a routinely patrolled area near Huai Ta Maria in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province.
Gen. Natthapol said an initial assessment by the Army Commander and the Second Army Area Commander suggested that the landmine was newly planted. Therefore, this is an action by the Cambodian side that does not respect the results of the declaration signed on October 26, 2025.
Following the incident, Gen. Natthapol said he sought and received the Prime Minister's approval to immediately halt the implementation of that declaration. The government also postponed the scheduled repatriation of prisoners of war to Cambodia.
The Prime Minister has also directed the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries to lodge a strong protest to the International Observer Team (IOT), according to Government Spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat.
The Prime Minister has ordered the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence to consider protesting to the Interim Observer Team (IOT), and they will proceed to the fullest extent, Mr. Siripong said.
This morning, the Royal Thai Army received a report from the Suranaree Task Force that troops stepped on a landmine while on patrol near Huai Ta Maria in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province.
Initial reports indicated two injured soldiers: one who lost his right ankle and was transported by helicopter to the hospital, and another who suffered chest tightness from the blast's force.
Later, two additional injured personnel were reported: one who sustained shrapnel wounds to his right calf, and another who received dust or chemical residue from the explosion in his eyes. In total, four soldiers were injured in the incident. -819 (TNA)
