By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Cambodian government downgraded diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level on Thursday, state media reported.
According to the state-owned Agency Kampuchea Press, ties would be reduced to the Second Charge d’Affaires level.
Cambodian diplomatic staff based in Bangkok will also be recalled.
The Thai diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh has also been instructed to do the same, according to the report.
Cambodia’s diplomatic retaliation comes after the Thai government on Wednesday decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with Cambodia following a landmine explosion that injured several of its soldiers.
Five Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in An Se village, Choam Khsant district in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, on July 23.
However Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence rejected the Thai accusations, calling them baseless.
Earlier on July 16, three Thai soldiers were injured while patrolling the sensitive border area near Preah Vihear province, Thai media reported.
Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in a bitter diplomatic row since May 28, following a border clash between the two countries’ soldiers along the Preah Vihear border.
One Cambodian soldier was killed in the shootout.
The two Southeast Asian neighbours have been disputing an 817-km undemarcated border for decades, which continues to sour diplomatic ties.
-- BERNAMA
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