Bangkok: Thailand has expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its envoy after a Thai soldier lost a leg in a landmine blast as a border dispute festers. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that an investigation by the Thai military found evidence that Cambodia had laid new landmines in the disputed area.

According to TRTworld.com, the long-running territorial row in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, escalated into military clashes in May, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. In response to the recent incident, Thailand has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations by recalling the Thai ambassador to Cambodia and expelling Cambodia’s ambassador to Thailand.

The Thai army reported that, in addition to the soldier who lost his leg, others suffered ear injuries and chest pain from the blast. The army chief is scheduled to visit the wounded soldiers on Thursday.

The border dispute has strained relations between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, leading to the closure of border crossings and Cambodia blocking imports of fuel, gas, and agricultural products from Thailand. This dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct during the conflict.

A leaked diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former long-time ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, has prompted a judicial investigation. Additionally, Hun Manet announced that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, citing the tensions with Thailand as a reason for the activation of a long-dormant mandatory draft law and a potential increase in the defense budget.