Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thai authorities are in a race against time to locate BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia into northeastern Thailand. Despite a ceasefire between Thai and Cambodian forces, some rockets may still be hidden, raising safety concerns for local residents.

 

Yesterday, reports surfaced about the recent cross-border clash that temporarily displaced villagers. While tension has faded, the danger persists, as evacuations remain incomplete due to Cambodian military presence at the border. Thai government officials are maintaining restrictions on the return of all displaced individuals until the situation stabilises further.

 

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) police are tasked with finding and neutralising these destructive remnants. Their efforts have been fruitful, with nearly all known rockets recovered from affected villages. However, fields and remote areas pose a significant challenge, especially in the rainy season.

 

Kittikorn Loyprakorn, head of Ban Khok Ngiew village, reported that 13 BM-21 rockets have been discovered in the village, part of the 240 launched in the Ban Kruat subdistrict. Yet the fate of those possibly hidden in expansive sugarcane fields remains uncertain. The dense foliage and the infrequency of human traffic in these areas complicate the search.

 

Chatchai Srisanok, Buriram's provincial agriculture officer, expressed concerns over the difficulty in identifying projectiles, particularly in waterlogged rice fields where visibility is poor. Sugarcane fields, with their dense vegetation, provide yet another hurdle for the search teams. He mentioned that ongoing heavy rain could further obscure any signs of disturbance caused by the rockets.

 

Farmers are urged to maintain heightened vigilance. The community is asked to report anything unusual, especially as large farming equipment, used during planting and harvesting, could potentially set off unexploded ordnance.

 

Local authorities emphasise the importance of cooperation with the EOD teams to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent accidents that could arise from undetected rockets. They are working tirelessly, with the villagers, to mitigate potential threats and declare the land safe once more.

 

The current focus remains on protecting civilian life while navigating the complex military and environmental challenges posed by the situation. Continued efforts are crucial in ensuring that no hidden rockets jeopardize the lives of those living in the affected areas. The hope is for a swift resolution that will allow evacuees to return safely to their homes, and for normalcy to be restored along the border.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-04

 

It’s probably on sale in chatuchak market next at one of knives and guns stalls along with a dozen fake ones that the seller will claim to be authentic.  

Mmm......the Thai reports I have seen claim these rockets, despite being unguided, were fired against specific targets (RIP 7/11😀), yet now there are 'strays' As with any munition used in large numbers an unexploded rate of 10 to 15 percent can be expected. 

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

some rockets may still be hidden,

Well I never!