Bangkok [Thailand], August 11: Through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Phnom Penh government has denied accusations from Thailand that Cambodian armed forces planted more anti-personnel mines along the border before withdrawing, injuring three Thai soldiers during a patrol on August 9.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Chum Sounry, spokesman for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation , called the above allegations baseless, according to the Khmer Times . The spokesman emphasized that until yesterday, there had been no official or transparent investigation into the mine explosion as stated by the Thai side. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) affirmed that the country has stepped up mine clearance work.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post yesterday (August 10) quoted Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Thai Army Region 2, saying that Thai soldiers are facing the risk of anti-personnel mines planted by Cambodian forces on Thai territory before withdrawing during the recent fighting.
On the same day, August 10, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command announced that it had discovered a total of 824 rocket holes fired from Cambodia in four northeastern provinces of Thailand, including Buri Ram, Sisaket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. The military also found 18 PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, including two that were still capable of detonating. However, Cambodia confirmed that it had not planted additional anti-personnel mines as the Thai side had stated.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
