BANGKOK, July 23 (TNA) – The Royal Thai Army on Wednesday condemned the Cambodian side after a landmine incident injured five Thai soldiers, one of them severely in the border area in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:55 PM local time in the Chong An Ma border area in Nam Yuen District, the army said in a statement. A patrol team from the 14th Infantry Battalion encountered a landmine, with one soldier sustaining a severe right leg injury after stepping on the device. Four other soldiers experienced chest tightness and tinnitus from the blast and were taken to Nam Yuen Hospital for treatment.
It called on Cambodia to take responsibility for the incident, which it said violates international humanitarian principles and threatens peace and stability in the border region.
General Pana Claewplodtook, the Chief of the Army, is scheduled to visit the area on Thursday to assess the situation and provide support to the injured personnel. He has also ordered military forces from the 1st and 2nd Army Areas to prepare for operations under the “Chakraphong Phuwanat” plan, pending further orders.
The army affirmed its commitment to using all available mechanisms to ensure the safety of its personnel and Thai citizens and prevent similar incidents. – 819 (TNA)
