Thailand is prepared to do without the United States in the event of sanctions following the end of peace agreements after a mine explosion.
The explosive device, recently planted on Thai territory, injured four soldiers and one of them lost his leg on Monday, November 10, 2025.
See: Thailand–Cambodia: Peace agreement suspended after mine explosion
This is the seventh incident of this type since the start of the conflict.
US President Donald Trump had warned that he could raise tariffs on Thailand and Cambodia if the two countries failed to maintain peace.
Thailand is ready to distance itself from the United States in the event of sanctions
US President Donald Trump and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, 2025.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated:
"Thailand would seek alternative trading partners if the United States imposed stricter tariffs, following the country's suspension of the US-backed peace agreement with Cambodia ."
Speaking at the National Defense College on Wednesday, November 12, Mr. Anutin said that Thailand was fully respecting the four-point peace framework aimed at restoring confidence and peace, while Cambodia had failed to keep its commitments.
He added that the government must now prioritize the safety and interests of the Thai people and set aside customs duties:
"If we cannot trade with them, we will find other trading partners."
We cannot rely on a single country, and the private sector understands this well.
He continued:
"If one door closes, we will find others."
If customs duties were to rise to 100%, the burden would fall on importers, and Thailand must strengthen its own capacity to manage on its own.
See also: Boom in Thai exports driven by ASEAN and China
The explosion of a new mine that started it all
Thai soldiers carry a soldier wounded by a landmine near the Cambodian border on Monday, November 10, 2025. Photo: The Nation Thailand
The government has decided to suspend the US-backed peace agreement with Cambodia and to authorize full-fledged military operations to defend national sovereignty.
This decision follows the explosion of a landmine that injured Thai soldiers on Monday during a routine patrol in Huai Ta Maria, Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province.
The National Security Council (NSC) also decided to suspend all provisions of the joint peace declaration signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and to suspend the transfer of detained Cambodian soldiers until further notice.
Thailand faces new threats to its national security
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, center, presides over a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime at Government House on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Photo: Chanat Katanyu/Bangkok Post
The Prime Minister also stated that modern security threats no longer originate from armed conflict, but are disguised as trade pressures, information warfare, digital economic competition, and climate-related disruptions.
He stated that economic security alone is not enough and that the government is focusing on integrated security, which involves linking economic and national security policies to enhance resilience.
He added that the NSC operates through a fully integrated mechanism involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice and the Interior.
In a media interview, Mr. Anutin dismissed speculation that the government's reaction to the explosion was aimed at diverting attention from its meager efforts to combat fraud networks.
See: Online scams: Thailand launches a nationwide offensive
He stated that the two issues were unrelated and insisted that many fraudsters had been prosecuted and ill-gotten gains had been seized.
Bangkok informs foreign embassies and accuses Cambodia
Photos of Cambodian soldiers at a disputed temple clearly show Russian PMN-2 antipersonnel mines lying next to them. These mines are similar to the mines that injured Thai soldiers patrolling on Thai soil.
In addition, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow held a briefing on Wednesday for 59 foreign diplomats and four international organizations on Thailand's response to the explosion.
Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said the minister expressed concern that the explosion occurred after the joint declaration was signed.
The evidence indicated that the mines had been recently laid.
He said this act violated Thailand's sovereignty and Cambodia's obligations under the Ottawa Convention.
Thailand remains committed to peace, but will not resume implementation of the declaration until Cambodia has shown responsibility and ended its hostilities.
Cambodia denies laying new mines, claiming they are old devices dating back to the Cambodian civil war.
For their part, some Cambodian media outlets are accusing the Thai army of having laid them themselves to reignite the conflict.
After the end of the peace agreement, tensions between the two countries have risen again.
See: Thailand–Cambodia: Exchange of fire and explosion, tensions rise again
- Thailand warns that it could do without the United States if sanctions are imposed following the suspension of the peace agreement.
- The explosion of a recently laid mine on Thai territory injured four soldiers and triggered the crisis.
- Bangkok accuses Cambodia of violating Thai sovereignty and informs foreign embassies of the evidence gathered.
See also:
Thailand-Cambodia conflict: areas banned from travel as of October 21, 2025
Thailand demands end to international aid to Cambodia for mine clearance
Thailand: Videos show Cambodian soldiers laying mines
Thailand: Cambodian soldiers spotted laying mines
Source: Bangkok Post
Prepare your trip to Thailand
Book bus, train, boat in Thailand
Manage your money while traveling with Wise
Tailor-made travel with Evaneos
If our news, tourist or cultural information has been useful to you and you would like to thank us:
You can follow us on:
Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , Google News
Or install our application:
Install the All Thailand app on your smartphone
⚠️ Cryptocurrencies carry risks: Only invest amounts you are prepared to lose.
2 comments
Towards the end of the US-Thailand friendship treaty and the American exception of 1966?
Towards opening up to investment from other nationalities in Thailand?
Great!!! (not sure if this will please the holders of American capital who control all the economic infrastructure in Thailand).
The same old statements from Cambodia:
"Thailand is laying mines itself to justify a resumption of hostilities," and therefore, is wounding and maiming its own soldiers!!!
Beyond these highly dubious Cambodian statements, we must commend the reaction of Thailand and its Prime Minister to Trump's threats against its tax policy by shifting exports away from the United States and refocusing on countries where Thai exports will be received in a friendly and respectful trade environment, and by having the courage to confront Trump about his own "mess"...
In my opinion, the reaction that all countries subjected to unilateral taxation should have is to economically isolate the United States and force Trump's policies to back down...
All the more courageous because it's not easy, but as the Belgians say, unity is strength!