The military during a recent visit by the Interim Observer Team (IOT) Thailand reported the discovery of over 200 landmines that had been planted along the border with Cambodia in Ubon Ratchathani province between June and September.
IOT Thailand, which comprises Asean military attaches, visited the Second Army Region on Saturday and Sunday.
Led by a Malaysian military attache, the group visited the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district, where illegal landmine activities were previously reported.
According to Thai military officials, more than 200 PMN-2 anti-personnel mines were planted in 36 incidents between June and September.
Three Thai soldiers were injured in the incidents, one of whom suffered the amputation of his leg, officials said.
Following the visit, the delegation commended Thailand’s transparency and cooperation in addressing the issue.
The delegation also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and restoring stable relations between Thailand and Cambodia, both of which are Asean member states.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has expressed outrage over a viral video showing his image being used as a target for shooting practice, describing such behaviour as shameful.
In an online post on Monday, Hun Sen urged Cambodians not to retaliate in kind, stressing that maintaining moral dignity was essential.
Instead, he called for a boycott of Thai products and the Thai baht, saying the move would reduce economic dependence and strengthen Cambodia’s financial sovereignty.
He also appealed to Cambodians not to do harm to Thai companies or citizens living in Cambodia, noting that most Thais are not the enemies of the Cambodian people.
The Cambodian strongman also dismissed claims that Cambodia’s economy was suffering from the closure of the Thai land border, saying Cambodia spends over $5 billion annually on Thai imports.
He noted that redirecting said spending to local products would ultimately strengthen domestic industries.
However, while addressing border communities, Hun Sen urged residents to exchange Thai baht for Cambodian riel or US dollars and warned that the baht could become a tool of pressure similar to electricity, internet or fuel.
Meanwhile, goods vendors in Trat province’s Klong Yai district, located near the Cambodian border, have been forced to adjust their livelihoods following the prolonged closure of the border.
One Thai vendor said that she also sells drinks in front of her grocery store to supplement her family’s income, noting that the number of visitors dropped sharply after the border closure.
Her customers are mainly locals and troops deployed in the area, she said.