In a deeply moving scene, the younger sister embraced and kissed the photo of Private Thanarat Janpradad, a hero of the Bueng Takuan battlefield, telling him, "I'll bring you home," while their grandfather shared the last message they exchanged.
On 12 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Lieutenant General Prasert Khathippaphathi, Commander of the 24th Military Circle, opened a reception room at the 24th Military Circle headquarters in Udon Thani province to receive the family of Private Thanarat Janpradad, known as Pluem, aged 22, from Fao Rai district, Nong Khai province. Private Thanarat served in the 1st Army Area, 11th Infantry Division, as a rifleman in the 112th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion (R.112 Bn.3). He died from gunfire during a clash at the Bueng Takuan-Khlong Phang battlefield in Ta Phraya district, Sa Kaeo province. He was the seventh soldier to sacrifice his life in this unrest area after only one year of service, having volunteered for the risky post and standing firm to defend the Bueng Takuan base until his last moment.
Lieutenant General Prasert Khathippaphathi expressed condolences to Private Thanarat's family, who lost a beloved member. Present were Mr. Somphap Janpradad, 48, Mr. Wirat Janpradad, 74, Mrs. Nokkaew Janpradad, 67, and Miss Chompoo Janpradad, 9—his father, grandfather, grandmother, and younger sister—along with other relatives who came to receive Private Thanarat's body to return to their hometown in Fao Rai district, Nong Khai. The commander also informed them of the rights and assistance the army provides to the family amid a somber atmosphere.
Mr. Somphap Janpradad, 48, Private Thanarat's father, revealed that his son was unmarried and had lived with his grandfather since his parents separated when he was young. He described Thanarat as cheerful, fun-loving, friendly, and fond of freedom. After being drafted and selected through the lottery system, within a year his son was deployed to Sa Kaeo province. Before heading to the border, Thanarat called to inform him simply that their unit was going to Sa Kaeo but said little else. Somphap advised him to be careful, warning that Cambodia could not be trusted, and urged him to travel with friends for safety. They spoke for about one to two days before his son passed away. Somphap said he has no words left to say now because of the pain but is proud his son died serving the nation and hoped his family would be well.
"I want to urge frontline soldiers that I hope the fighting ends soon. I also ask the government to control Cambodia. If this continues, there will be second and third incidents, and more losses like this will happen," Mr. Somphap said.
Mr. Wirat Janpradad, 74, Private Thanarat’s grandfather, tearfully shared that he raised Thanarat from birth and that he had always been with him. Thanarat served in the military for one year and more than ten days without returning home. As his only grandson, he had not visited his grandfather since enlisting. Two or three days before his death, Thanarat called to reassure him not to worry and expressed pride in his grandfather. However, he also said that life at the border was harsh, revealing he hadn’t bathed for six days and describing the difficult living conditions, including digging trenches, having others dig graves, and sheltering with tarpaulin tents.
At 12:00, military officials escorted the family from the 24th Military Circle reception room to wait for Private Thanarat’s body at Wing 23. Miss Chompoo Janpradad, 9, his younger sister, carried his photo out to the front of the 24th Military Circle headquarters before boarding a police van from Fao Rai Police Station that would take them to receive their hero's body. Chompoo kissed her brother’s photo and tearfully told him, "Come home, I want to be a soldier like you," touching relatives and onlookers deeply.
At 12:30, the army aircraft carrying Private Thanarat Janpradad’s coffin draped with the Thai national flag arrived from Sa Kaeo to Wing 23 in Udon Thani province. Officials including Udon Thani Governor Rachan Sunhua, Lieutenant General Prasert Khathippaphathi, Commander of the 24th Military Circle, Wing 23 Commander Air Commodore Witawat Krongthanin, Police Major General Thawatchai Thungpao, Commander of Udon Thani Provincial Police, and Police Colonel Phatthanawong Janphon, Chief of Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, along with soldiers, police, civil servants, and relatives, received the body amid deep sorrow. The coffin was then loaded onto a 24th Military Circle Humvee to be taken for religious rites at Ban Wang Chomphu, Village No. 8, Fao Rai subdistrict, Fao Rai district, Nong Khai province—his hometown.
