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Landmine Blast Injures Chinese National on Cambodia–Thailand Border, Reigniting Mine-Clearance Dispute

The Thai army says a 26-year-old Chinese man was injured by a land mine on the Cambodia–Thailand border while allegedly trying to enter Thailand. Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new mines in territory Bangkok considers part of Sa Kaeo province; Phnom Penh denies recent emplacement, saying devices could be leftover ordnance from past conflicts. The blast follows earlier mine incidents that injured Thai soldiers and strained a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, and highlights ongoing risks to civilians and security forces in the contested border zone.

09:05 PM, 11/29/2025Conflict
Landmine Blast Injures Chinese National on Cambodia–Thailand Border, Reigniting Mine-Clearance Dispute

A 26-year-old Chinese man was wounded after stepping on a land mine near the Cambodia–Thailand border while allegedly trying to cross into Thailand, Thai military officials said Saturday. The incident has reignited accusations that new anti-personnel mines are being laid in a contested area claimed by both countries.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the blast occurred in ground Bangkok regards as part of Sa Kaeo province and described the sector as "contaminated with land mines that Thai authorities are in the process of clearing according to plan." The army identified the injured man as Shi Jingui from Yunnan Province; the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said he is in stable condition but did not give his name.

The Thai army said Border Patrol Police heard an explosion shortly before dawn and sent a drone to survey the scene. Responders located the injured man, and deminers and security personnel recovered him and transported him to a hospital.

Explosions from land mines earlier this year that wounded Thai soldiers helped trigger five days of intense fighting between the neighbors in late July. Disputes over the exact border line have strained relations for decades, and recent mine incidents have placed pressure on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

In its statement, the Thai army repeated previous accusations that Cambodia has been placing new mines along the frontier, saying "the abundance of evidence points to the continued use of new mines." Thailand has also said it is indefinitely pausing implementation of parts of the ceasefire agreement after an earlier explosion this month wounded four Thai soldiers, including one who lost a right foot.

Cambodia has rejected claims that it recently emplaced new mines, saying such devices could be remnants from decades of internal conflict that ended in 1999 with the formal surrender of the Khmer Rouge. After the earlier blast, Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Phnom Penh "remains committed to working closely with Thailand to promote peace and stability between the two countries, especially ensuring the security and safety of civilians."

The incident underscores the ongoing dangers posed by land mines along the Cambodia–Thailand boundary and highlights the challenges of clearing contested border areas while diplomatic tensions persist. Both sides continue to trade accusations even as officials are supposed to cooperate on mine removal and border demarcation.

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Landmine Blast Injures Chinese National on Cambodia–Thailand Border, Reigniting Mine-Clearance Dispute - CRBC News