A 64-year-old war veteran, Anusit, expressed his willingness to return to duty should Thai-Cambodian border tensions escalate again. This sentiment was shared during a War Veterans Day ceremony in Bangkok, commemorating the 42 Thai soldiers who died in last year’s border skirmishes. Anusit, along with 3,000 other veterans, attended the event at the Victory Monument, reflecting the enduring resolve among military retirees to protect national sovereignty.

Anusit has a long history of combat experience, having served from 1985 to 1987 in the clashes between Thai and Vietnamese forces and later against the Khmer Rouge. He asserted his readiness to fight once more if necessary, stating, “Death is death. If we fulfill our duty with honour and discipline, we are ready to do it for the nation and the people.” Anusit calls for respect towards veterans, emphasizing their sacrifices.

The ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and military leaders, also included solemn tributes to fallen soldiers, with their ashes interred at the monument. Prime Minister Anutin highlighted the significance of remembering the bravery of these soldiers, particularly in light of last year’s Thai-Cambodian confrontations. The conflicts resulted in Thailand losing 42 soldiers, marking a poignant chapter in recent military history.

Veteran Grandpa Chit, 80, also participated in the event, reminiscing about his past battles in Laos and Vietnam. He expressed uncertainty about his ability to attend future ceremonies, underscoring the advancing age of many veterans. Inside the Victory Monument, the ashes of 801 individuals who died in various conflicts are interred, with their names engraved as a testament to their sacrifices.

Future expectations include potential changes in ceremony formats, as the Veterans Day events this year differ from previous years by spanning three days with a “Night of Honour” theme. This adjustment reflects an evolving approach to recognizing the service and sacrifices made by veterans across generations, reported Thai PBS.

Key Takeaways

• Anusit, a retired veteran, expresses readiness to fight if Thai-Cambodian tensions rise.

• 42 Thai soldiers were commemorated for their sacrifice in last year’s border clashes.

• Veterans Day events now span three days, emphasizing honouring past and present service.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2026-02-04

 

 

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Ridiculous jingoistic nonsense from old timers, who certainly aren't needed on the Cambodian border.

It's hardly the Russian Front.

Maybe they should focus on promoting peace and getting along with their neighbors instead of war mongering, at their wise old age.

Why must Anutin rile up granddads when he should be the leader of peace? I understand he needs to get nationalism up in the news, but most people want a better economy and more jobs, not wars.

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Anusit, a retired veteran, expresses readiness to fight

Well I never - "Dad's Army"!

(UK comedy series)

What a strange time for this story to emerge. Thailand is party to a ceasefire agreement that seems to be holding. And in any case has plenty of men and material to see off a vastly inferior Cambodian military.

That's very patriotic of them. Other countries' vets would also step up, I'm sure, if they felt the need given a national security threat. But I can't help but wonder if this news angle by the original news media is just one of several to try to keep the 'conflict' alive, when the conflict seems to be dying down and losing steam on both sides. One must wonder who benefits from that given a Thai general election just days away.

13 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

What a strange time for this story to emerge. Thailand is party to a ceasefire agreement that seems to be holding.

Yep.

6 hours ago, Caldera said:

Maybe they should focus on promoting peace and getting along with their neighbors instead of war mongering, at their wise old age.

I agree with this sentiment completely. At the stated age one would hope wisdom would have ensured he would be urging peace rather than offering to fight

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

What a strange time for this story to emerge. Thailand is party to a ceasefire agreement that seems to be holding. And in any case has plenty of men and material to see off a vastly inferior Cambodian military.

Yes, the ceasefire agreement is just about holding, but with the Thai General Election this coming Sunday 8th February, maybe certain extreme Nationalist candidates are pushing for confrontation.

reference Khmer Times today 5/2/2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia (MFAIC) has formally protested the emplacement of three containers by Thai armed forces on Tuesday in An Seh village, Choam Ksan commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, which obstructs access to the An Seh International Border Checkpoint.

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

What a strange time for this story to emerge. Thailand is party to a ceasefire agreement that seems to be holding. And in any case has plenty of men and material to see off a vastly inferior Cambodian military.

A vastly inferior Cambodian military can easily become a vastly superior Cambodian military, depending on who MAY back them.

4 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Well I never - "Dad's Army"!

(UK comedy series)

Nothing better than some patriotism to stir up nationalistic feelings for upcoming elections.

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

A vastly inferior Cambodian military can easily become a vastly superior Cambodian military, depending on who MAY back them.

Yes indeed. Reference todays Khmer Times 3/2/2026 and not necessarily the Chinese!

In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially removed Cambodia from the arms export “blacklist” on February 3, 2026, signalling a significant thaw in military trade.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501839889/u-s-removes-cambodia-from-arms-export-blacklist/

A nice gesture but unfortunately conflicts still happen outside of the hours from 10am to 4pm.

Pros and cons I suppose - sick parade will be epic!

But they will be fine stagging on at night - they will have to get up every couple of hours for a pee!

23 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes indeed. Reference todays Khmer Times 3/2/2026 and not necessarily the Chinese!

In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially removed Cambodia from the arms export “blacklist” on February 3, 2026, signalling a significant thaw in military trade.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501839889/u-s-removes-cambodia-from-arms-export-blacklist/

Just America sending a message to Thailand about their relationship with China. 🙂

On 2/5/2026 at 6:14 PM, KhunHeineken said:

A vastly inferior Cambodian military can easily become a vastly superior Cambodian military, depending on who MAY back them.

In which case it makes it even more strange that some elderly Thai men want to volunteer for active service, n’est pa?

On 2/5/2026 at 5:52 PM, Burma Bill said:

Yes, the ceasefire agreement is just about holding, but with the Thai General Election this coming Sunday 8th February, maybe certain extreme Nationalist candidates are pushing for confrontation.

reference Khmer Times today 5/2/2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia (MFAIC) has formally protested the emplacement of three containers by Thai armed forces on Tuesday in An Seh village, Choam Ksan commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, which obstructs access to the An Seh International Border Checkpoint.

Does that mean you think these elderly men are doing the right thing?

I mean, ceasefire or no ceasefire, it’s surely strange that a few pensioners think that they need to volunteer for active service

On 2/5/2026 at 6:14 PM, KhunHeineken said:

A vastly inferior Cambodian military can easily become a vastly superior Cambodian military, depending on who MAY back them.

No chance the Chinese will get involved in this nonsense.

On 2/5/2026 at 11:07 PM, Burma Bill said:

Yes indeed. Reference todays Khmer Times 3/2/2026 and not necessarily the Chinese!

In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially removed Cambodia from the arms export “blacklist” on February 3, 2026, signalling a significant thaw in military trade.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501839889/u-s-removes-cambodia-from-arms-export-blacklist/

Cambodia would not get the support of either the USA or China; Thailand is a far more important regional player, a much bigger economy, and has some semblance of democracy.

Cambodia is run as a fiefdom for the Hun Sen clan and cronies.

It's estimated that up to 50% of Cambodia's economy is involved in illegal operations such as scam centres, etc

https://www.csis.org/analysis/fraud-frontlines-scam-centers-caught-cambodia-thailand-conflict

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Cambodia would not get the support of either the USA

With respect, if this would be the case, why has the USA lifted the arms embargo?

Remember, the Cambodian PM Hun Manet is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and no doubt has knowledge of American weaponry, including anti-aircraft types capable of shooting down Thai fighter jets!

19 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

With respect, if this would be the case, why has the USA lifted the arms embargo?

Remember, the Cambodian PM Hun Manet is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and no doubt has knowledge of American weaponry, including anti-aircraft types capable of shooting down Thai fighter jets!

The US lifting its arms embargo is completely unrelated to the Thai–Cambodian conflict.

Cambodia has already opened the door to a Chinese naval presence, something everyone in the region is fully aware of.

There is zero chance the US would back Cambodia in this dispute.

And let’s be honest, this isn’t about a few temples or a sliver of land. It’s about the broader rot undermining the region, a black economy built on scam centres that Hun Sen’s regime permits, protects, and profits from.

On 2/8/2026 at 4:01 AM, Scouse123 said:

No chance the Chinese will get involved in this nonsense.

No chance that's there's no chance that the Chinese will not. The world is pear shaped at the moment. What a great way to have the Thai's kiss your feet by backing Cambodia.

The Chinese being Chinese, they very well may back both, selling military hardware to both, and making money. What do they care????

On 2/7/2026 at 7:16 AM, wensiensheng said:

In which case it makes it even more strange that some elderly Thai men want to volunteer for active service, n’est pa?

That was just some election propaganda. Nothing more.

On 2/8/2026 at 4:04 AM, Scouse123 said:

Cambodia would not get the support of either the USA or China;

But it could get the support of Russia, through a Chinese proxy.

Wake up.

On 2/9/2026 at 1:35 AM, Scouse123 said:

The US lifting its arms embargo is completely unrelated to the Thai–Cambodian conflict.

No, it's not.

On 2/9/2026 at 1:35 AM, Scouse123 said:

ambodia has already opened the door to a Chinese naval presence, something everyone in the region is fully aware of.

Correct.

On 2/9/2026 at 1:35 AM, Scouse123 said:

There is zero chance the US would back Cambodia in this dispute.

The US will back a side that makes two other sides fight each other. That's what they do. Usually, selling arms and munitions to both side. It's good business.

On 2/9/2026 at 1:35 AM, Scouse123 said:

And let’s be honest, this isn’t about a few temples or a sliver of land. It’s about the broader rot undermining the region, a black economy built on scam centres that Hun Sen’s regime permits, protects, and profits from.

Wrong.

It's about China playing both sides, and keeping both sides up their sleeve, for the future.

9 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

But it could get the support of Russia, through a Chinese proxy.

Wake up.

Russia has plenty more on its mind than Cambodia at the moment.

9 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

No, it's not.

Correct.

The US will back a side that makes two other sides fight each other. That's what they do. Usually, selling arms and munitions to both side. It's good business.

Wrong.

It's about China playing both sides, and keeping both sides up their sleeve, for the future.

Nothing wrong at all in my statement, repeated below:-

And let’s be honest, this isn’t about a few temples or a sliver of land. It’s about the broader rot undermining the region, a black economy built on scam centres that Hun Sen’s regime permits, protects, and profits from.

9 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

No chance that's there's no chance that the Chinese will not. The world is pear shaped at the moment. What a great way to have the Thai's kiss your feet by backing Cambodia.

The Chinese being Chinese, they very well may back both, selling military hardware to both, and making money. What do they care????

China’s primary objective in the region is stability, access, and influence, not symbolic dominance over individual states.

Thailand is a far more economically, militarily, and diplomatically valuable partner than Cambodia.

Undermining Thailand to gain leverage via Cambodia would be counterproductive to China’s long-term regional interests.

The idea that China would strategically “back Cambodia to make Thailand submit” misunderstands Chinese foreign policy behaviour in Southeast Asia.

The claim that China would back both sides purely to sell weapons isn't reality.

Arms sales are part of foreign policy, but they are not the driver.

China would not destabilise the region and threaten trade routes, supply chains, and Belt and Road investments for short-term profits.