Military officer suffers amputation due to landmine detonation in close proximity to the Thai-Cambodian frontier.
In a troubling incident that underscores the persistent threat of landmines in border regions, three Thai soldiers were injured during a patrol near Hill 481, Chong Bok Pass, in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province, along the Thai-Cambodian border on July 16, 2025.
The explosion occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. near Hill 481, a former conflict zone previously cleared of landmines by international NGOs and Thai military units. The patrol team included members from the 2302 Ranger Battalion and the Heavy Weapons Unit of the 1st Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.
Sergeant Patipat Srilasak, Private Thanapat Huaiwan, and Private Nattawut Srikhem were the soldiers injured in the blast. Sergeant Srilasak suffered chest tightness due to blast pressure, while Private Huaiwan sustained injuries to his left ankle and shrapnel wounds to his left knee and right leg. Private Srikhem, who reportedly lost his leg in the explosion, experienced chest tightness from the blast.
All three soldiers were evacuated to Fort Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Warin Chamrab District, Ubon Ratchathani, and their conditions are reported as stable. The patrol provided first aid on site and called in medical support for evacuation.
The landmine involved in the explosion is identified as a PMN-2, a Russian-manufactured anti-personnel blast mine known for its plastic casing, making it difficult to detect with standard metal detectors. The area had been declared a “green zone” (cleared of landmines), strongly indicating that the PMN-2 mines found there were recently planted, rather than remnants from past conflicts. Following the incident, Thai authorities found and defused more PMN-2 mines in the vicinity, suggesting a pattern of recent, deliberate mine placement.
The Chong Bok Pass region has a history of border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia, with lingering tensions and occasional violence. The discovery of newly planted mines in previously cleared zones raises significant security and humanitarian concerns, as these areas are no longer considered hazardous under international standards.
Norwegian People’s Aid, an international NGO, had previously conducted mine clearance in the area, and the site was designated a Confirmed Hazardous Area (CHA) by Thai authorities. This incident highlights not only the persistent danger of landmines in border regions but also the alarming development of newly planted devices in areas previously deemed safe.
Deputy Defence Minister General Nattaphon Nakpanich visited the injured soldiers and continued to the border area, underscoring the seriousness with which Thai authorities are treating the incident and the ongoing threat posed by landmines in the region. Doctors are closely monitoring Private Thanapat Huaiwan's condition to prevent infection.
| **Date** | **Location** | **Injured Soldiers** | **Landmine Type** | **Notable Detail** | |-----------------|-------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------| | 2025-07-16 | Hill 481, Chong Bok Pass, Ubon Ratchathani | 3 | PMN-2 (Russian) | One soldier lost his leg; mines recently planted |
The incident involving the explosion at Hill 481, Chong Bok Pass, highlights the persistent threat of landmines in border regions, intertwining politics and general news. Moreover, the discovery of newly planted PMN-2 mines in previously cleared zones has significant implications for crime and justice, raising concerns about ongoing activities that defy international standards and endanger human lives.
