Thailand downgrades ties with Cambodia, recalls ambassador, expels Cambodian envoy

Thailand has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Cambodia by recalling its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelling the Cambodian ambassador in Bangkok, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced today.

He said the decision was made in response to a landmine explosion this evening in a border area in Ubon Ratchathani, which injured a Thai soldier.

Phumtham added that the Thai government will also send a formal protest letter to Cambodia over the incident and will review its diplomatic ties with the country.

Commander of the Second Army Region, Lt Gen Boonsin Phadklang, said the injured soldier was among five troops patrolling the Chong An Ma area in Nam Yuen district when he stepped on a landmine, which was believed to have been newly planted.

The explosion caused Sergeant Major Pichit Boonchula to lose his right leg, while the other four soldiers sustained minor injuries.

In response to the incident, Lt Gen Boonsin ordered the closure of four border checkpoints, as well as the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, starting Thursday.

“The 2nd Army Region will escalate its response to Cambodia starting on July 24. Four border checkpoints — Chong An Ma, Chong Sa-ngam, Chong Chom, and Chong Sai Taku — will be closed, along with the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples,” he said.

Phumtham said the government endorses the army’s proposal to close the border checkpoints and the historical sites.

Last week, three Thai soldiers patrolling a border area in Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani, were also injured by a landmine explosion.

Thai authorities hold Cambodia responsible for planting the Russian-made landmines in Thai territory, which they said is a violation of the Ottawa Convention — an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.

In a statement, the Thai Army said it strongly condemns the Cambodian side for planting landmines in the Chong An Ma border area, which resulted in severe injuries to Thai military personnel.

At around 4.55pm. on July 23, a patrol unit from the 14th Infantry Battalion encountered a landmine explosion in the Huai Bon area, an operational zone along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The Thai Army strongly condemned “this inhumane act,” calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian principles and bilateral agreements, particularly as it occurred within Thai sovereign territory.

It urged the Cambodian side to take responsibility for the incident, which poses a grave threat to peace and stability along the shared border.

The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to using all available mechanisms, within appropriate frameworks, to protect the safety of its personnel and Thai civilians, and to prevent such incidents from recurring.