The soldiers were patrolling near Chong Sa-ngam in Phu Sing district on Wednesday (Feb 11), when one of them stepped on a landmine. A soldier lost his leg, and two others sustained serious injuries as a result of the blast, which reignited concerns about security along the frontier with Cambodia, reports the Bangkok Post.
Anutin said the government has approved the construction of fences along the border, as well as the request for more resources to enhance the capabilities of troops there. “The army can proceed immediately,” he said.
When asked about reports of Cambodian youths staging provocations along the border and online, Anutin said that although such actions are regrettable, they shouldn’t lead to an escalation, as both governments agreed to a ceasefire deal late last year.
Thailand will maintain its positions within its sovereign territory, he added.
Anutin also said he has instructed the Defence and Foreign Affairs ministries, along with the National Security Council, to annul the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 44, which concerns the demarcation of maritime boundaries between Thailand and Cambodia.
While no definite deadline has been set, he said the cabinet could revoke the agreement without parliamentary approval because it is only an MoU, not a legally binding treaty. “If a new government comes in and wants to cancel it immediately, it can do so,” he said.
However, when asked about MoU 43, which concerns the demarcation of land boundaries, Anutin said the MoU is still being followed because it is particularly useful for determining Thailand’s territorial extent. He left open the possibility of revising its contents through further negotiations once discussions resume.
Meanwhile, in Ban Kruat district in neighbouring Buriram, residents and traders on Wednesday urged the government and the military to resolve the border dispute as quickly as possible, allowing normal life to resume without constant fear.
On Saengram, 71, a mobile fruit vendor, said her clothes are still packed because she is uncertain whether fighting might erupt again. “We don’t know when the next clash will happen. I just want the prime minister and the government to settle this problem quickly so villagers and farmers can live and earn a living normally again,” she said.