No Immigration Records in Cambodia for Chinese National Injured in Landmine Blast

No Immigration Records in Cambodia for Chinese National Injured in Landmine Blast

A Chinese man was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine along the Cambodian–Thai border on Saturday morning after illegally crossing from Thailand, according to Cambodian authorities.

The incident occurred at around 3:20am on 29 November between Border Markers 48 and 49 in Chouk Chey Village, O’Bei Choan Commune, O’Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey province. Officials said the victim triggered a landmine left over from past conflicts, causing the loss of his left foot.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) stationed in the area tried to rescue the victim, but Thai soldiers reached the scene first. Cambodian troops were delayed as they had to clear a safety path of approximately 200 metres of minefield before accessing the blast site, the official told Khmer Times.

Authorities noted that the minefield had recently been surveyed by teams from the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) under the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF).

The joint assessments were conducted on 7 November, followed by technical discussions on 10 November to map priority minefields for a planned pilot humanitarian demining project along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

However, cooperation was suspended after Thailand unilaterally halted the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord” on 10 November and froze all joint mechanisms with Cambodia, including JCTF work.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior reported that the victim — identified as Shi Jingui, holder of passport number 2356975263 — does not appear in the General Department of Immigration’s entry–exit records, raising further questions about his route and intentions.

Officials confirmed that the explosion took place along the Cambodian–Thai border. They said evidence suggests the man crossed from Thailand, noting that he possessed only Thai currency, the blast site is around 100 metres from a Thai asphalt road, and more than 210 metres from Cambodia’s National Road 58.

Officials said the man may have been unaware that the area was contaminated with landmines due to thick forest cover, adding that his decision to cross at this particular location may indicate other motives.

Khmer Times