CHONG AN MA, THAILAND – Two Thai soldiers were seriously injured when suspected old ordnance exploded as they tried to extinguish a grassfire near the border area of Chong An Ma.
Fire near barbed-wire fence triggered blast
According to the military’s Second Army Region, the blaze broke out in dry grass and bamboo along a barbed-wire fence in a section known as Bo Kai near a rocky cliff. The area had previously seen armed clashes and was classified by authorities as a zone contaminated with unexploded munitions.
Attempt to contain flames ended in sudden explosion
Military information indicated the flames spread into a sector where old explosives were believed to be buried shortly before soldiers moved in to fight the fire. As they tried to halt its advance, an unexpected explosion sent shrapnel into nearby troops.
Two soldiers injured and evacuated for emergency care
Two soldiers were wounded in the blast, received first aid from comrades at the scene and were then transported for emergency treatment to Nam Yuen Hospital. One of them, Sergeant Major Thammarat Khlaithip, a squad leader, suffered shrapnel wounds near his right collarbone and lost consciousness, prompting doctors to order cardiac monitoring and a CT scan.
Transfer to military hospital and condition of victims
Doctors later observed signs of confusion and low blood pressure in Thammarat and decided to transfer him by air to Sappasitthiprasong Camp Hospital. The second injured soldier, Private Weerasak Kanharueang, was also knocked unconscious by the blast and taken to the same military hospital for observation.
Cause under investigation, witnesses describe scene
Military representatives, quoted by the outlet Khaosod, said the type and size of the explosive device remained unclear and were still under investigation. Soldiers who witnessed the incident reported that the fire was first spotted in a bamboo stand in front of the barbed-wire fence, and they had been preparing water to extinguish the flames before they reached their own base area.
Border region has seen previous deadly incidents
The same border region had already been affected by violence in December, when a Thai soldier was killed during clashes in Sisaket province. At that time, according to reports, Private Wasan was severely wounded in the back by a mortar allegedly fired by Cambodian troops and later died in hospital, raising the number of army personnel killed to 21.