Explosion in the border area: Foreign man loses foot due to landmine!

Explosion in the border area: Foreign man loses foot due to landmine!

A seriously injured man was found in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia in the early morning of November 29, 2025, who apparently triggered a landmine in a dangerous incident. Border patrol police heard an explosion in a forest area near Tambon Non Mak Mun, Khao Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province at around 5:50 a.m. Special Unit 12 was immediately called in to investigate. On site, emergency services discovered a 26-year-old man from Yunnan Province, China, who asked for help and was left with serious injuries.

The young Chinese man had his right leg amputated in the explosion and was alone in the forest. First aid measures were initiated and he was immediately taken to Khao Sung Hospital. When the officers searched his luggage, they found a Chinese passport, the origin of which suggested that he was illegal. This incident raises questions about an alleged illegal border crossing from Cambodia into Thailand. To resolve the case, Special Unit 12 and the Sa Kaeo Immigration Department have begun the investigation, while increasing security measures in this mine-prone zone.

Mine danger and the background

This incident is not an isolated incident in the region, which is still marked by the shadows of past conflicts. The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, which began on July 24, 2025, has led to numerous military clashes. These fighting were mainly concentrated in the regions of Surin in Thailand and Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia. Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes while both governments accused each other of attacking civilian targets.

There have been historical disputes over borders since colonial times, particularly at the Preah Vihear Temple. This complexity has been compounded by military activities such as the shootings in May and June 2025. As a result, several border crossings had to be closed, which further worsened the situation on site. The military conflicts pose a constant risk to the civilian population, which is reflected in the endangerment of lives and the continuous presence of landmines.

Given these dangers, the incident involving the injured Chinese man is quickly becoming a reminder for regional authorities to step up efforts to clear mines and secure border areas. Humanitarian action is essential to prevent such tragedies in the future. To address these challenges, a coordinated response from all relevant agencies is needed to ensure both the safety of the people in the region and the necessary humanitarian response.

How events unfold remains to be seen, but tickets for a safer border area should now probably be put at the top of the agenda.

For more information about the conflict, you can read the comprehensive background on the [History of the Border Conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Grenzkritik_zwischen_Kambodscha_und_Thailand_2025).

Meanwhile, the incident also shows how fragile relations between neighboring countries are. Across emotional relationships and personal stories, there are often unexpected connections between people, even when they are separated by political tensions.

In the hope of peace and security for all involved, this article ends with the urgent call to prevent such situations so that people no longer have to suffer the consequences of political disputes.