The body of Private Phanuphat has returned to his hometown. His mother revealed that the last possession he left was his phone, which he had promised to give her after the border clash ended.
A fierce clash occurred at the Thai-Cambodian border near Hill 350 close to Prasat Ta Kwai in Surin Province on 16 Dec 2025. The Thai military lost two soldiers: Sergeant Major Rerng Khlangprakorn and Private Phanuphat Saosa, also known as Private Woon, from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. Authorities found both soldiers’ bodies and transported them from the clash site to Surin provincial military hospital for identification and to conduct military funeral honors.
Private Woon Phanuphat was from Phu Sing District, Sisaket Province. His body was moved for funeral rites at Wat Klang, Huai Nuea Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province, in the afternoon of 21 Dec 2025.
At 12:09 on 21 Dec 2025, Private Phanuphat Saosa’s body arrived at Wat Klang, Huai Nuea Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province, where the funeral rites were held. An honor guard lined up to sound trumpets in tribute to the hero, creating a solemn and mournful atmosphere. Government officials, local residents, and relatives gathered densely to pay respects. Afterwards, his mother, siblings, and relatives performed traditional water pouring to the body, with the mood deeply sorrowful.
Mrs. Pitchsinee Saosa, 41, mother of Private Phanuphat, said that after hearing of her son's death, she immediately collapsed and was hospitalized. She said she kept hearing his voice, which sounded very tired. He asked her, “Mom, do you want me to live or die?” She replied that she wanted him to live. She also smelled incense and his scent, which she recognized because she always washed his clothes when he returned home.
While waiting for her son's body to return, she prayed constantly for Thailand to win and reclaim Hill 350, believing that if Thailand prevailed, her son’s body would surely return. Her son’s last concerns were about her health, urging her to take medicine, and about their family’s welfare—how they would eat, live, where they would evacuate, and if the evacuation would provide relief. He worried whether she had money for food. At first, when she evacuated, she thought he might not be sent to Hill 350 again because he had said, “I’ve come down to rest and plan.”
Mrs. Pitchsinee added that she remembers her son saying he no longer wanted to return home because he loved Thailand deeply and wanted to fulfill his duty, especially knowing Cambodia wanted Thai land. She said hearing this prepared her heart. Now she feels very proud of her son’s sacrifice for the nation and fighting for Thailand. Initially, she felt guilty because she had encouraged him to join the military.
Mrs. Pitchsinee said she does not know how much merit-making is needed to bring her son back. She vowed to be strong and to make many merit offerings for him. This Songkran, she plans to wear white and perform merit-making for her son for one month. Another thing that made her cry deeply was that her son had promised to give her the phone he used once the clash ended. When she received his body, the military handed her the phone, which was undamaged. It seemed he kept his promise. While riding in the vehicle bringing his body home, she kept hearing his voice saying, “Mom, why are you crying? I already gave you the phone,” as if he had fulfilled his promise.
At 16:00, there will be a royal urn presentation ceremony, including the granting of royal financial aid to the family, a water pouring ceremony, and the presentation of a royal wreath. On 24 Dec 2025, the royal cremation ceremony will be held at Wat Klang, Huai Nuea Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province.