Cambodian soldiers secretly plant improvised explosive devices near Hill 350, Ta Kwai Temple
Today (September 1, 2025), the Royal Thai Army received a report from the 2nd Army Region regarding an incident on August 31, 2025, at approximately 11:50 a.m. The 1st Light Weapons Company, 27th Infantry Battalion, discovered the planting of an improvised explosive device consisting of mortar rounds combined with tripwires by Cambodian soldiers. The incident occurred in an area west of Ta Kwai Temple, about 1.7 kilometers from Hill 350, in Bak Dai Subdistrict, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, close to the line of barbed wire that serves as a self-defense barrier inside Thai territory.
This tactic by Cambodian soldiers corresponds with the incident on August 22, 2025, when Thai forces detected Cambodian troops setting ambushes and conducting surveillance on Thai forces in the western area of Hill 350, Bak Dai Subdistrict, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province. A subsequent inspection of the surrounding area uncovered three PMN-2 landmines, two mortar rounds, and a large quantity of caltrops. It is believed that these mortar rounds were prepared to be used in the planting of improvised explosive devices, as evidenced in this case.
Regarding the incident, Major General Winthai Suwaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, stated that these actions and the evidence clearly demonstrate a violation of the ceasefire agreement. This includes the use of improvised explosive devices as weapons intended to covertly attack Thai soldiers with the intent to cause fatal harm on Thai soil. Such actions constitute provocation and create heightened tension between both sides. Moreover, these actions contradict Cambodia’s attempts to mislead the international community into believing that it is peace-loving and committed to the ceasefire agreement. In reality, the facts and evidence confirm that Cambodia has persistently violated both the agreement and the Ottawa Convention.
In addition, the Army spokesman said that due to Cambodia’s continued use of landmine-planting tactics to carry out attacks against Thai forces, General Phana Klaewplotthuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, has issued orders through the 2nd Army Region, instructing all personnel to perform their duties with caution, avoid negligence, and deploy combat engineer units to clear mines in high-risk areas to ensure operational safety at all times.
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