Backhoe Driver Survives Landmine Explosion at Thai-Cambodia Border Construction Site

Key summary

A backhoe driver survived an explosion caused by a suspected landmine while working on a road construction project near the Thai-Cambodia border in Bua Cheh district, Surin province. The incident occurred around 12:00 local time on September 24, 2026 (B.E. 2569), when the machine's digging blade struck an old mine buried underground near a bunker associated with former Khmer Rouge leader Pol Ta Maoh. The explosion severely damaged the backhoe but caused only minor injuries to the driver, who was wearing a amulet of Luang Ta Yuen at the time. While Thai authorities confirmed the blast happened in Surin province during operations to build a tactical route from Hill 429 to Chong Phrik, social media posts from Cambodia claimed the event took place in Cambodian territory near Kammeas village. The military has temporarily halted construction in the area pending clearance by experts who are still investigating the specific type and origin of the explosive device.