Three Thai soldiers killed by landmine

BANGKOK — Three Thai soldiers were killed and one was critically wounded when an old landmine exploded Tuesday as they were trying to defuse it on the country's border with Cambodia, a military official said.

The anti-tank device, thought to have been planted decades ago, was discovered in Klong Hat district, Sakaeo province, around 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of Bangkok.

"The three soldiers killed in the course of their work were aged between 45 to 50," said a local military official, who declined to be named.

The border between Thailand and its neighbour is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

Earlier this year, deadly border clashes broke out between the two countries near an ancient temple further northeast on their shared frontier.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice in July asked both nations to withdraw military personnel from around the Preah Vihear temple complex and the border has been calm in recent months.