Thai army shuts four border crossings, temples in response to fresh landmine incident

The 2nd Army Region commander today ordered the closure of four border checkpoints, as well as the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, starting tomorrow after a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion today.

Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Phadklang said the soldier was patrolling in the Chong An Ma area when he stepped on a landmine, which the commander believes was newly planted.

The explosion reportedly caused the soldier to lose his right leg.

“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 Takoo — will be closed, along with the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples,” he said.

On July 16, three soldiers from the 2302 Ranger Battalion were injured after stepping on a landmine while patrolling from the Morakot Operation Base to Hill 481, along the Thai-Cambodian border.

One of the soldiers lost his ankle in the blast.

The incident occurred at coordinates WA 220 861 in an area known for unexploded ordnance left over from past conflicts.