3 Thai soldiers killed in mine explosion: Army

BANGKOK (AFP) - Three Thai soldiers were killed and one was critically wounded when an old landmine exploded on 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 240km 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.