Thailand says it may act in ‘self-defence’ as soldier hurt near Cambodian border

The incident and the Thai reaction indicates the precariousness of a ceasefire that took effect on July 29 (Thai Army via AP)

Thailand’s army warned that it may have to “exercise the right of self-defence” in response to continuing incidents it blames on Cambodia, in which Thai soldiers patrolling along the two countries’ border have been wounded by land mines.

A statement from Thai army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree said a sergeant was patrolling the border with seven other soldiers on Tuesday morning when he “stepped on an anti-personnel landmine covertly planted by the Cambodian side, resulting in severe injuries to his left ankle”.