Soldier loses leg in blast

A Thai soldier lost his lower right leg yesterday after stepping on a landmine during a patrol in a border area near Ta Kwai temple, only hours before Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangi-ampongsa was scheduled to make a statement before the United Nations regarding tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.

- APINYA WIAPATAYOTIN PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

The Army Military Force page said the incident occurred at Hill 350 (Chang Suek), located near the temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. It brings to six the number of Thai soldiers who have lost limbs to landmines, which the Thai side said were planted surreptitiously in Thai territory by Cambodia.

The injured soldier was identified as Private Adisorn Pomklang, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Royal Thai Army. He was carrying out duties in the area when he stepped on an explosive device.

Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, confirmed the incident, saying Pvt Adisorn suffered the traumatic loss of his lower right leg. Emergency medical teams provided immediate assistance before transferring him to a medical facility for further treatment.

Security sources confirmed the area where the incident occurred lies within Thai territory and remains a high-risk zone due to past conflicts and the continued presence of explosive remnants of war. Further details will be released as they become available.