A Thai Army demining technician lost his left foot after stepping on a mine during clearance work in Sa Kaeo province on 29 July. Sergeant Major First Class Udomsak Nukman, 44, was taken to Aranyaprathet Hospital and was reported to be conscious while receiving treatment. The First Army Area said it received a report from the Burapha Force at 11am that Udomsak, a technical survey officer with M.Pan.30 under Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1 (HMAU 1), had been injured at a dangerous area in Ban Nong Chan, Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district. His left foot was severed in the blast and he also suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm. The unit gave first aid at the scene before transferring him to Aranyaprathet Hospital, where medical staff were continuing urgent treatment. Clearance work continues at Ban Nong Chan The operation is part of a joint mission by the Burapha Force and HMAU 1, under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, to make the area around Ban Nong Chan safe. The hazardous zone covers 80,800 square metres. Teams have so far cleared 62,000 square metres, or 76.73% of the total area, according to the First Army Area. During the work, officials have found 489 mines and unexploded ordnance items. These included 447 PMN mines, 39 MN79 mines, two POMZ-2 mines and one item of unexploded ordnance. The authorities said mine-clearance work would continue until the area is fully safe. Advice for those near the border For foreigners living in or visiting Sa Kaeo, particularly those travelling in rural parts of Khok Sung district near the Cambodian border, the incident underlines that demining operations remain under way in some areas. Travellers should stay on recognised roads and routes, avoid entering undeveloped land or any restricted operational area, and follow instructions from local officials and security personnel. The clearance work is intended to improve safety for communities along the border. Lieutenant General Worayut Lueangsuwan, commander of the First Army Area, expressed concern following the injury. He instructed the Burapha Force to stress careful, non-negligent working practices among personnel involved in the operation. He also ordered the unit to provide the injured serviceman with the best possible care, including all benefits and welfare support to which he is entitled. The army said it would continue clearance work in dangerous areas to create safe ground for border residents. Picture courtesy of Komchadluek Join the discussion? 30 July 2026
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