Awaiting good news, the family of Private "Tokyo" believes in a miracle after he regained a pulse and responded to treatment, hoping he will return safely to the family's embrace.
At 21:00 on 26 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters reported that the home of Private Nithikorn Somtum, known as Private Tokyo, age 21, a soldier from Si Sa Ket Province, who was identified on social media as the 27th soldier severely wounded in clashes at the Ban Nong Jan battlefield, Sa Kaeo Province, suffered shrapnel injuries from a BM-21 rocket fired by Cambodian forces, striking his neck with critical injuries.
Initially, the family was informed by officials that Private Tokyo had no pulse and had died, plunging relatives into grief. However, they later received confirmation that he still had a pulse and was responding to treatment, giving hope to the family and relatives who prayed for a miracle.
The BM-21 rocket attack by Cambodian forces on the evening of 26 Dec at Ban Nong Jan battlefield resulted in multiple Thai soldiers killed and injured. The deceased included Sergeant Major Pongsakorn Nakthongdee, 36, who was struck by shrapnel in his lungs and thigh, suffering heavy bleeding; Private Patipat Sorpradit, 19, who died at the scene; and Private Thiwthawan Polyeam, 22, who also died on site.
Among the injured was Private Nithikorn Somtum, 21, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the neck, along with several other soldiers injured by shrapnel and the blast force of the rocket.
At the family home, the atmosphere was filled with worry and anticipation for good news from the hospital, supported by encouragement from relatives and local villagers.
Mrs. Patraporn Somtum, 46, said she learned her son was listed among the wounded at Ban Nong Jan, classified as a red case meaning critically injured, and had been transferred to Lopburi Hospital. Later, news came that he had died, leading relatives to gather and grieve. The military camp called to confirm he had died from the BM-21 shrapnel wound, causing the family to begin accepting the loss. However, just before reporters arrived, they were informed that her son still had a pulse, giving the family hope for his safety.
Mr. Thanakorn Somtum, 49, said he was notified that his son was being airlifted by helicopter to Lopburi for treatment and that his pulse had returned. He believes a miracle is real and that the family is praying together for Private Tokyo to recover safely and return home.
When news from various pages listed his son as the only red case and rumors circulated that he had died, the parents and relatives were overwhelmed with grief, collapsing into tears throughout the house. The grandmother fainted from crying upon hearing the news. Relatives and villagers came to offer support and closely followed the news, all deeply shocked.
Private Tokyo had returned home in early December before the border conflict intensified. He stayed less than seven days before the situation in Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province, prompted his return to duty at Khok Sung, Sa Kaeo Province. Initially, he was not stationed at the front line and was reported to be about 30 kilometers from the clash zone, performing tree-cutting for defensive purposes to support operational vehicles. The family believed he was not at high risk, but the injury incident occurred today.
Now that they know he still has a pulse, they pray for his safety. The parents feel joy and renewed hope, believing that a miracle has truly happened because the family does not want to suffer loss.
Nevertheless, the family continues to closely follow updates from the medical team and prays for Private Tokyo to overcome his severe injuries and return safely to their arms, holding onto hope that a miracle will indeed take place.