Thai Soldier Critically Injured by Landmine at Sisaket Border

Picture courtesy of Amarin

A Thai army combat engineer was critically injured after stepping on a landmine while clearing a border area in Sisaket province on 29 December", prompting urgent medical treatment and renewed scrutiny of mine clearance along the Thai–Cambodian frontier. The incident occurred in the Sattasom area of Kantharalak district and has heightened concerns over the safety of troops operating in previously contested zones.

The Royal Thai Army’s official Facebook page, “กองทัพบก ทันกระแส”, reported at 11.04am that a Thai soldier had triggered a landmine while conducting clearance operations in Sattasom, stating that further details would be provided. The post called on Cambodia to provide clarity regarding landmine removal and included the message “Thailand loves peace, but is not afraid to fight”.

Later reports confirmed that the injured soldier was Sergeant Major First Class Sujin Jitkriyan, a member of an explosive ordnance disposal unit from Engineer Battalion 8, 1st Cavalry Division. He was part of a mine detection team from an engineer company attached to Suranaree Task Force, which had been deployed to carry out operations in the area on 29 December.

The incident occurred at approximately 10.15am when Sgt Maj Sujin stepped on a landmine during the mission, resulting in severe injuries including the loss of a leg. Medical staff classified his condition as a “red case”, indicating critical status, and he was given emergency assistance before being transferred for treatment under established medical procedures, where he remains under close supervision by doctors.

The case marks the 11th reported instance of a Thai soldier suffering severe injury from a landmine, underscoring the persistent dangers posed by unexploded ordnance along the border. Military authorities said relevant agencies are conducting a detailed inspection of the surrounding area to prevent further incidents and to strengthen safety measures for personnel operating in border zones.

Daily News reported that the army has not announced any immediate changes to deployment plans but indicated that mine clearance and security assessments will continue with heightened caution. Further information on the investigation and the condition of the injured soldier is expected to be released as it becomes available.

Key Takeaways

• A Thai combat engineer was critically injured by a landmine while clearing the Sattasom border area on 29 December.

• The injured soldier, Sgt Maj Sujin Jitkriyan, is receiving intensive medical care after being classified as a critical “red case”.

• Authorities are reviewing safety measures and inspecting nearby areas to prevent further landmine incidents.

Related Story

Thailand-seeks-chinas-backing-for-lasting-peace-with-Cambodia

 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-29