Latest news with #SuranareeTaskForce
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian general close to Hun Sen killed in Thai border clash
BANGKOK: A source in Thailand's Second Army Area confirmed at 11.13pm on Monday (July 28) the death of Gen Srey Duk, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Army and commander of the 3rd Support Division, during a clash along the Thai-Cambodian border. Gen Srey Duk was widely known as a close confidant of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, having fought alongside him in past conflicts. Notably, Srey Duk also served as Cambodia's lead representative in negotiations with Maj Gen Somphop Paravech, commander of Thailand's Suranaree Task Force, to resolve a border intrusion dispute at Chong Bok. These talks, which led to the backfilling of trenches and troop repositioning to prior locations on June 8, 2025, were seen as a key step in de-escalating the situation—until hostilities resumed. Meanwhile, at 10.28pm, the Royal Thai Air Force dispatched two F-16 fighter jets to carry out a strategic mission over the Ta Kwai temple area. The operation aimed to cut off Cambodian reinforcement routes and neutralise artillery positions providing cover fire. The mission was reported as a success, with the aircraft returning safely to base. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Two more landmines found along border disputed by Cambodia
The army has found two more, new anti-personnel mines on Thai soil near the border with Cambodia where three Thai soldiers were injured by an exploding landmine last week. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said on Monday that a patrol from the Suranaree Task Force found the two landmines near Chong Bok in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani province on Sunday. One of the mines was only about 30 centimetres from the spot where three soldiers were injured by the explosion of a Russian-made PMN-2 anti-personnel mine on Wednesday, the spokesman said. One of the soldiers lost his foot. The newly discovered mines were safely defused and removed, he said. The army has not said exactly how many newly sown anti-personnel mines have been found. It could be around a dozen given the statement last week by 2nd Army chief Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang that eight had been found, before the latest discoveries on Sunday. The Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused and condemned Cambodia for the use of anti-personnel mines in contravention of the Ottawa Convention banning their use. Cambodia and Thailand both signed it in 1997 and ratified and deposited it in 1998. 'The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry statement said. Cambodia has denied laying new mines that injured the three soldiers. However, the ministry said it had clear evidence. Thailand had never used the type of landmine being found. "Assessments and related evidence discovered by the responsible security agencies point to the conclusion that the laying of these mines was a blatant violation of international law," it said. Maj Gen Winthai said the army will meet the defence attaches of other countries on Tuesday and brief them on the latest finds. The spokesman also callled on the members of Asean and the international community to condemn Cambodia on the issue.
Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Landmine clearing starts near Cambodian border
Combat engineers started mine-clearing operations in the Chong Bok area near the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province on Sunday after a landmine explosion injured three Thai soldiers there on July 16. The Second Army Region that supervises the Northeast said on Sunday that combat engineers from the Suranaree Task Force carried out the operations from Sunday morning in response to a report that about 100 landmines were found in Thailand's Chong Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani after Cambodian soldiers had retreated. The regional army command said combat engineers initially discovered landmines, seemingly planted to obstruct troop movements, along with cluster bombs capable of causing extensive damage. As a result, engineers exercised maximum caution during the clearing operations. To support the mission, the team was equipped with heavy machinery, including armoured tractors. The goal was to ensure the safety of Thai soldiers stationed along the border. At the same time, evidence would be gathered to support claims that Cambodia had violated the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines, according to sources. The operations followed a landmine explosion in Chong Bok area on July 16. Three soldiers were injured, including one who lost a foot. An investigation revealed that the explosive was among about 100 newly laid mines amid border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, earlier said there would be retaliation for the landmine installation. RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the government's Ad Hoc Center for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said on Sunday that the centre would have a full-panel meeting at the National Security Council on Monday to discuss findings from the landmine explosion investigation and subsequent responses. Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, said on Sunday that Thai soldiers had discovered PMN-2 landmines — Russian-made devices not used by the Thai armed forces — in the Chong Bok area. He added that Cambodia had shared photos and video clips as part of its accusation that Thai soldiers were responsible for laying the mines. However, Maj Gen Winthai clarified that the images and footage were actually from a training session conducted by personnel from the Thailand Mine Action Center. He called the accusation a distortion of facts that unfairly damaged Thailand's reputation. Cambodia's claim that the mines were found on Thai soil, he noted, strongly suggested that they were planted by individuals who had illegally crossed into Thai territory. In Bangkok on Sunday, demonstrators gathered at the Cambodian embassy to protest against the planting of the landmines that led to the July 16 detonation. Leading the rally, Pichit Chaimongkol of the People and Student Network for the Reform of Thailand said the use of landmines violated the Ottawa Treaty and threatened the security of Thailand.
The Star
14-07-2025
- The Star
Ex-Thai ranger charged for punching Cambodian soldier at Surin border temple
BANGKOK: A former Thai ranger is facing legal action after assaulting a Cambodian soldier near the Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province on Sunday (July 13), according to the Royal Thai Army (RTA). RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree (pic) confirmed the incident, citing a report from the Suranaree Task Force. He said the altercation occurred at around 10.20am, when a Thai tourist punched the Cambodian officer both from behind and in the face before fleeing the scene. Thai authorities later apprehended the suspect. The attacker was identified as Sommai (surname withheld), a former ranger who now serves as president of the volunteer rangers club at Pak Thong Chai camp and heads the veterans network in Samut Sakhon province. Winthai explained that, given the incident took place at a popular tourist site, Thai military officers had spoken to the Cambodian side to help de-escalate tensions and prevent any damage to bilateral relations at the local level. The suspect has since been handed over to police for legal proceedings, he added. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Thai ex-ranger arrested for punching Cambodian soldier
SURIN: A former Thai paramilitary ranger was arrested for punching a Cambodian soldier at Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in this northeastern province on Sunday. According to Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, the Suranaree Task Force reported at 10.20am that a Thai tourist hit a Cambodian soldier who was part of a coordination team at Ta Muen Thom temple ruins. The man punched the Cambodian officer from behind and in front before fleeing. Thai officials later arrested the man. The army spokesman identified the man as former paramilitary ranger Sommai Srisukranan, the leader of a paramilitary ranger club at the Pak Thong Chai camp in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The arrested man also leads a war veterans' network in Samut Sakhon province. claims as its own territory.
