Govt slams landmine blast

THIRD SUCH INCIDENT IN A MONTH, PROTEST LODGED

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

>>The government has condemned the use of antipersonnel landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border, following an incident yesterday in Si Sa Ket where three Thai soldiers stepped on a mine during a routine patrol.

The government described the act as a blatant violation of Thailand's sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), of which Thailand is a state party, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

The incident occurred near Don Aow-Kritsana, an area recently cleared of mines, confirming previous reports by the Royal Thai Army that new mines are being laid in breach of international humanitarian law. This is “the third such incident encountered by Thai forces in less than a month,” heightening concerns over the safety and security of the border region, it said.