Thai - Cambodia Conflict Thaksin Donates Blast-Resistant Boots to Protect Soldiers

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has donated state-of-the-art “fragmentation-resistant” boots to soldiers patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, in a bid to reduce the risk of landmine injuries.

 

The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence, where Gen. Natthapol Nakpanich, Deputy Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Defence, in his role as Director of the Special Task Force for Thai-Cambodian Border Management (Sor Bor Tor Gor), formally received the donation.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasit Sangkhapong, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and president of Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, represented Mr Thaksin in making the presentation.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasit explained that Mr Thaksin was deeply concerned for the welfare of soldiers and EOD personnel, who often face grave danger from landmines, resulting in severe injuries and limb loss. The specially designed boots, produced to exacting German military standards, incorporate advanced technology to protect vital lower limbs during hazardous missions.

 

The donation comprises 100 pairs of boots, worth 2.5 million baht, for border patrol soldiers and a further 20 pairs, valued at 500,000 baht, for EOD teams, a total contribution of 3 million baht. The boots will be custom-manufactured at a specialist facility and delivered within 30 days.

 

“This initiative is aimed at safeguarding the lives and well-being of our troops,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasit. “By providing this advanced protective gear, Mr Thaksin hopes to reduce the risk of life-changing injuries and support the brave men and women serving on the front lines.”

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-16