Mines strain fragile peace

A landmine explosion that caused a Thai soldier to lose his lower right leg while patrolling in a high-risk zone near Ta Kwai temple on Wednesday threatens to derail peace efforts between Thailand and Cambodia.

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Pvt Adisorn Pomklang is the sixth Thai soldier to be maimed by landmines since the border conflict flared up late last month, but the third since the ceasefire took effect on Aug 7.

Wednesday’s explosion occurred just hours after the Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) concluded a meeting aimed at easing tensions and maintaining peace. Chairing the meeting, which took place at the Chong Sa-ngam permanent border checkpoint in Si Sa Ket’s Phu Sing district, was Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the second army region, which covers provinces in southern Isan. Also on the same day as the incident, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa was in Geneva to inform the United Nations of the Thai-Cambodian border tensions and the illegal use of landmines by Thailand’s neighbour.