Thailand says Trump-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia on hold after landmine kills troops

Bangkok— Thailand said it has indefinitely suspended implementation of a US-brokered ceasefire until Cambodia apologizes for a landmine explosion on Monday that injured four Thai soldiers on its border.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday visited wounded troops at the border as the Thai military accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the truce agreement Thailand and Cambodia signed last month.

Territorial disputes between the Southeast Asian neighbors sparked five days of fighting in late July in which dozens of soldiers and civilians were killed. Others have been injured by landmine explosions before and after the July fighting and tensions have risen despite the truce.

The Thai military said one soldier lost his right foot after stepping on a landmine while patrolling along the border in Sisaket province on Monday, while the other three suffered minor injuries. Cambodia denied responsibility.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Tuesday that the incident showed “Cambodia’s absolute lack of sincerity.”

He called on Cambodia to apologize, conduct a thorough investigation and implement measures to prevent another explosion. Thailand also said it would indefinitely postpone the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers held since the July conflict.

The situation should not worsen if Cambodia makes a sincere effort to meet the conditions, Nikorndej said.

Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesman Maly Socheata said Tuesday that the explosion was caused by “remnants of past conflicts” and urged Thai troops to avoid patrolling in areas with old minefields.

Cambodia “remains committed to working closely with Thailand to promote peace and stability between the two countries, especially by ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said.

Under the terms of the truce, Thailand agreed to release Cambodian soldiers and both sides must begin removing heavy weapons and land mines from the border area. The countries said there has been some progress in removing weapons.

Malaysia initially mediated the ceasefire. President Trump then threatened to withdraw trade privileges from Cambodia and Thailand and the the deal was signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in October.

Matthew Wheeler, senior Southeast Asia analyst for Belgium-based International Crisis Group, said it was “predictable that the deal would break down, because it was clearly concluded to placate President Trump on issues unrelated to the conflict, namely trade and Trump’s desire to be perceived as a peacemaker.”

The conflict is one of eight Trump claims to have finishedwhile repeatedly stating that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.

Thailand’s strong nationalist sentiment has also made it difficult for the government to resolve the conflict through a conciliatory approach, Wheeler said.