Thailand Ends Trump-Mediated Ceasefire with Cambodia After Soldiers Are Hurt by a Border Mine Blast
Thailand has put a hold on the peace deal with Cambodia, which was facilitated by Trump, following a border land mine explosion that resulted in injuries to two Thai soldiers, heightening tensions in the region.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that all actions related to the ceasefire will be suspended “until Thailand’s demands are fulfilled,” pointing to persistent security threats despite the recent agreement. He did not clarify the conditions that Cambodia needs to fulfill for talks to recommence, and Phnom Penh has not yet provided a response.
An explosion took place in Thailand’s Sisaket province, where a mine was triggered by a Thai army patrol near the contested border. The Royal Thai Army reported that a sergeant has lost his right foot, and another soldier sustained chest injuries due to the shockwave from the blast. Both individuals are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit stated that investigators are working to establish whether the mine is a remnant from previous conflicts or if it has been recently placed. He confirmed that Thailand will delay the scheduled release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who were captured during the clashes in July, which is a crucial commitment under the truce.
Last month, at an ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement, bringing an end to five days of border conflict that resulted in numerous fatalities. The agreement, facilitated by Malaysia and subsequently supported by former US President Donald Trump, mandated that both countries remove mines, pull back heavy artillery, and engage in a prisoner exchange.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of hindering mine clearance efforts and allegedly planting new explosives, despite advancements in disarmament and in violation of the agreement. Cambodia refutes the allegations, affirming its dedication to the peace agreement and calling on Thailand to move forward with the release of its soldiers.
Monday’s explosion has rekindled tensions along one of Southeast Asia’s most unstable borders, raising questions about the sustainability of the Trump-era truce and the region’s delicate peace process.
