Eleventh Thai soldier loses leg to landmine blast on border

Another Thai soldier was seriously injured today when he stepped on an anti-personnel landmine, allegedly planted by Cambodian forces, as he was performing his duty in the Khao Santasom area of Kantharalak district in Thailand’s the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket.

Army Spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said today that the powerful blast blew the left leg off Sgt.Maj. Suchin Chitkreeyar, a member of the 8th engineering battalion of the 1st cavalry division, He also sustained injuries to his left eye.

Many landmines are believed to be have been laid in the Khao Santasom area, which was recently seized by Thai troops from Cambodian forces.

Winthai said that Thai soldiers are in the process of collecting evidence about this latest landmine explosion, which brings the number of Thai soldiers injured by mines to 11.

The evidence and relevant information will be sent to the Thai Foreign Ministry, for presentation to international agencies overseeing compliance with the Ottawa Convention against the use of anti-personnel landmines, as well as the ASEAN Observer Team.