Join in congratulating "Lieutenant Book" Lieutenant Kiatwong Sathaworn received the "Jakkarao Honor" Award for 2026 for his courageous feat leading a special operations unit to assault and capture Hill 350 until stepping on a landmine, resulting in the loss of his leg.
On 27 January 2026, the Facebook pageThai Navy SEAL Foundationposted images with a statement that Admiral Apakorn Yookongkaew, Chairman of the Underwater Demolition Commandos Foundation, congratulated "Lieutenant Kiatwong Sathaworn" on receiving the "Jakkarao Honor" Award.
"If I don't lead, my men won't follow. If I don't act, the mission won't succeed."
With a determined and brave heart, on the night of 28 July 2025, Lieutenant Book led a special operations team to assault and capture Hill 350 but stepped on a landmine laid by Cambodian soldiers near the Ta Kway temple, resulting in the loss of his right leg.
Lieutenant Kiatwong Sathaworn, aged 24, is assigned to the 2nd Special Combat Battalion, 2nd Special Combat Regiment (SPB 2, SCR 2). He is a cadet from the 60th Preparatory Military Academy class and the 71st Royal Thai Army Academy class. He graduated from the 53rd Underwater Demolition Commandos (SEAL) course of the Royal Thai Navy.
On the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Preparatory Military Academy, a ceremony was held to present the annual Jakkarao Honor Award for 2026 to honor alumni who served with integrity and brought prestige to the institution at executive and commander levels (PMA classes 24 - 26):
* General Tharapong Malakam (PMA 24), Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence
* General Ukrit Boontanont (PMA 24), Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
* Admiral Phairoj Fuangchan (PMA 24), Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy
* Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha (PMA 26), Administration Branch
* General Boonsin Padklang (PMA 26), Advisor to the Army Commander (former 2nd Army Area Commander)
* Air Commodore Chatree Pongsak (PMA 22), Flight Operations Administration Branch
* Courage Award (PMA 60): This year, the award was given to a young alumnus who performed a heroic feat — Lieutenant Kiatwong Sathaworn, or "Lieutenant Book" (PMA 60), in the military branch.
Information courtesy of the Thai Navy SEAL Foundation Facebook page.