Thailand said Wednesday it is closing border crossings with Cambodia from northeastern provinces, as well as withdrawing its ambassador from Cambodia and expelling Cambodia’s ambassador, following a landmine incident in which a Thai soldier lost a leg. A Thai Army statement said five soldiers were wounded when one of them stepped on a land mine in a border area. The incident drew a swift response from the Thai government. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the Foreign Ministry would make an official protest to Cambodia, and further measures would be considered. The landmine incident on Wednesday a week after three other Thai soldiers were wounded after one stepped on a land mine and lost a foot in a different area along the border, which has several small areas claimed by both countries. Thai authorities say that the mines were newly laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailand’s military. The army statement called on Cambodia “to take responsibility for this incident, which constitutes a serious threat to peace and stability in the border region between the two countries.”

Full report : Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia and recalls ambassador as tensions flare.