BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand has indefinitely paused a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia following a landmine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers along the Thailand-Cambodia border on Monday. The incident has intensified tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, who remain mired in longstanding territorial disputes.

Details of the Incident

The explosion occurred during a routine patrol in Sisaket province, one of the regions most affected by previous border clashes. Thai authorities reported that one soldier lost his right foot, while the other three sustained minor injuries. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the injured soldiers and demanded accountability from Cambodia.

The Thai army accused Cambodia of planting new landmines, violating the ceasefire agreement signed last month. In response, Thailand announced it will indefinitely postpone the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers held since the July conflict until Cambodia apologizes and implements measures to prevent further incidents.

Cambodia’s Response

Cambodia denied responsibility for the explosion. A spokesperson for the Cambodian Defense Ministry, Maly Socheata, stated the blast was caused by “remnants of past conflicts” and urged Thai troops to avoid patrolling old minefield areas. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peace, stability, and civilian safety along the border.

Background: Border Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has been a flashpoint for decades. In late July 2025, territorial disputes escalated into five days of combat, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead. Even after the truce, sporadic landmine explosions have injured soldiers, creating persistent tensions in the region.

The ceasefire, initially mediated by Malaysia and supported by the United States, aimed to remove heavy weapons and landmines from the border and release detained soldiers. While some progress had been made in arms removal, analysts warned that the agreement was fragile.

Matthew Wheeler, senior Southeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted, “It was predictable that the agreement would break down because it was concluded primarily to placate U.S. trade and political interests, rather than addressing the underlying territorial conflict.”

Thailand’s strong nationalist sentiment further complicates efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution, according to experts. Thai officials insist that Cambodia must provide a formal apology, conduct a thorough investigation, and implement safeguards to prevent future border incidents.