Thailand Expels Cambodian Ambassador, Recalls Its Ambassador to Cambodia

The Thai Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on the 23rd, stating that Acting Prime Minister Pruttan had, on the same day, ordered the downgrading of diplomatic relations with Cambodia, recalled the Thai ambassador to Cambodia, and expelled the Cambodian ambassador from Thailand.

Pruttan said that he learned from the military’s report that a Thai soldier had his right leg blown off after stepping on a landmine while patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border. The government has adopted the military’s suggestion and ordered the closure of all border checkpoints under the jurisdiction of Thailand’s Second Army Region, strictly prohibiting entry by tourists, and decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Cambodia, recall the Thai ambassador to Cambodia, and expel the Cambodian ambassador from Thailand. Further assessments on the level of relations between the two countries will be made according to the situation.

Pruttan stated that he had ordered the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver a note of protest to Cambodia. Authorities have confirmed that such landmines had never been encountered during previous patrols, and that this incident involved newly planted landmines. Therefore, Thailand has taken the most appropriate retaliatory escalation measures.

The Thai Army reported earlier that, in the afternoon, a Thai patrol team encountered a landmine explosion while patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border, injuring five soldiers, one of whom suffered severe injuries to his right leg after stepping on the mine.

The Thai Army strongly condemned the Cambodian side for planting landmines in the border area between the two countries, and demanded that Cambodia take responsibility for the incident.

On the 16th of this month, three Thai soldiers were injured by landmine explosions in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia. After investigation, the Thai side determined that the mines were recently planted by Cambodia, violating the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines.

However, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense pointed out that the Thai soldiers entered Cambodian sovereign territory without permission for patrol and unfortunately triggered leftover wartime landmines.

In addition, Chum Sounry, spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on the 24th that Cambodia had decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level and recall its diplomatic staff in Bangkok.