AFTER acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recalled the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia and expelled Cambodia’s Ambassador following a new landmine explosion that led to a second soldier losing his leg, the latter vented his anger in a Facebook post, Amarin TV said last night (July 23).
Cambodian envoy Hun Saroeun, who is a nephew of Cambodian leader Hun Sen, said in the post: “After I return, I hope you and your group are still here. Managing emotionally like this, I don’t know how many times it will continue.”
After the post was published, netizens flocked in to express their opinions, with many saying he should go back and tell this to the leader of his own country, before he deleted the post at 8.48 p.m.
As of now, Hun Saroeun’s Facebook page is no longer accessible and it is believed that he has closed it after being heavily criticized.
Phumtham said Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit reported that at 4.55 p.m. a patrol unit from the 14th Infantry Regiment stepped on a landmine in Huai Bon area, Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province, causing one soldier, Sgt. Maj. Pichitchai Boonkorat, to lose his right leg and four others of his team also being injured. They were evacuated at 5.18 a.m.
As proposed by the 2nd Army Region, all border checkpoints have been closed with tourists prohibited from entering at all cost.
Phumtham added that diplomatic relations between the two countries have now been downgraded with the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia recalled and Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand expelled. The Foreign Ministry has also been instructed to submit a protest letter.
“We will further consider the level of relations,” he added.
The landmine that injured Thai soldiers yesterday is a new one as previously there were no explosions during patrols but suddenly this month there have been two blasts, with two soldiers losing their legs, he said, adding Thailand has responded at an appropriate level.
This morning Lt. Gen. Malee Socheata, the Defence Ministry spokesperson, said Cambodia has issued a statement denying Thailand’s accusation it had secretly planted landmines within Thai border territory with one exploding yesterday injuring five soldiers and in turn accused Thailand of crossing over to Cambodian territory.
The Cambodian government added that there are still a large number of landmines left over from their civil war and urged Thailand to refrain from violating an agreement on patrols as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding 2000 (MOU 2000)
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: The scene of the landmine explosion yesterday, July 23, 2025, and the soldier who lost his leg being taken to hospital.
Insert: Cambodian Ambassador Hun Saroeun and his Facebook post. Both photos: Amarin TV
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