Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Thursday that observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in both countries had verified the presence of newly planted landmines, though he did not specify which side was responsible for deploying the banned devices.
Thailand suspended its peace accord with Cambodia after four Thai soldiers were injured — one seriously — by what it says was a Cambodian-planted mine during a routine patrol in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province on Monday.
“But the Asean observer teams in Thailand and Cambodia have reported that they were new landmines. I just got off the phone with the Thai foreign minister,” Bernama quoted him as saying, referring to his discussion with Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
“My hope is for both sides to calm down and continue the peace talks,” he added.
The Malaysian state news agency refiled the report after an earlier version on Thursday incorrectly stated that no landmines had been found.
This marks the first public confirmation from Asean observers that new mines exist along the frontier.
The Thai Foreign Ministry will bring the observers to Huai Thamariya in Kantharalak, where Thai soldiers were injured earlier this week, and to Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province, the site of an armed clash on Wednesday.
“Cambodia’s actions demonstrate a lack of responsibility and are deeply regrettable,” the ministry said on Thursday.
Cambodia has denied laying any new landmines, which have maimed seven Thai soldiers and injured others in recent weeks.
Mr Mohamad said Malaysia plans to host new talks to keep the peace process alive.
“If possible, to be held in Malaysia because between the two countries, they have lost confidence, they have lost trust in each other,” he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday, after separate discussions with the Thai and Cambodian leaders, that both expressed support for peaceful solutions to the renewed conflict.
Malaysia concluded its Asean chairmanship at the end of the regional summit earlier this month, handing the role to the Philippines.