According to Thailand's Foreign Ministry, a Thai soldier was seriously injured in Ubon Ratchathani province on Tuesday morning when a mortar shell fired from Cambodia hit his right hand with shrapnel.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of violating a ceasefire it agreed to 10 days ago, saying a Thai soldier was injured by cross-border mortar fire. However, Cambodia has called it an “accident” and claimed that two of its own soldiers were also injured in the explosion.
According to Thailand's Foreign Ministry, a Thai soldier was seriously injured in the right hand after being hit by a mortar shell fired from Cambodia in Ubon Ratchathani province on Tuesday morning.
The Thai military said it had contacted the Cambodian side to immediately determine the truth of the incident. The ministry urged that such incidents not be repeated and expected an apology from Cambodia.
In response, Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Mali Socheta said that two Cambodian soldiers were injured in a "garbage dump explosion" in Preah Vihear province, one of them in critical condition.
The Thai military said the Cambodian side had contacted them and admitted that there was no deliberate firing into Thai territory and that it was due to an operational error. However, the Thai military warned of a strong response if such incidents occur again.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that although it was called an accident at the military level, responsibility and explanation were needed. He also noted that Thailand had the capacity to respond if necessary.
A decades-old border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into violent clashes several times in the past year. The fighting in December left dozens dead and nearly a million people displaced.
The two countries then agreed to a ceasefire on December 27, which included a halt to military activity and cooperation in demining the border.
