Surin Province, Thailand – August 12, 2025
A Thai soldier was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine during a patrol mission near Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, on Tuesday morning. The incident, which occurred behind the barbed wire fence of the Jup Ta Mok military base, west of the historic temple, has highlighted ongoing tensions and the lingering dangers of unexploded ordnance in the region.
Sgt. Teerapol Piakantee, a member of the Ranger Unit, Company 2610, sustained severe leg injuries when he triggered the explosion while on routine patrol. Emergency responders quickly transported him to a nearby hospital, where he is receiving treatment. His condition remains serious but stable, according to military officials.
An investigation of the blast site revealed a crater approximately 70 to 100 cm wide, surrounded by fragments of camouflage fabric believed to be from Sgt. Piakantee’s uniform. Scattered debris from a PMN-2 landmine, a Soviet-designed anti-personnel mine, was also found throughout the area. Authorities suspect the landmine was placed by Cambodian forces during a previous period of territorial disputes before their withdrawal from the area.
The incident shows the persistent risks posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance along the Thai-Cambodian border, a region marked by historical tensions over territorial claims near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, a 13th-century Khmer temple. Thai military officials have called for increased vigilance and are coordinating with local authorities to ensure the area is cleared of any remaining explosives.
The Thai government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but it is expected to bring renewed discussions with Cambodian counterparts to address the issue of landmines in disputed border zones. For now, the focus remains on supporting Sgt. Piakantee’s recovery and securing the safety of troops operating in the region.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
