A fire broke out in a bamboo thicket near the "Chong An Ma" operational base. Thai soldiers went to extinguish the fire but encountered old unexploded ordnance, which detonated and injured two soldiers. Medical teams quickly transported the wounded and are closely monitoring their conditions.
On 30 January 2025, the 2nd Army Region received reports from personnel at the Chong An Ma area that a dry grass fire had started near the barbed wire fence line, in an area previously used for fighting and known to contain unexploded ordnance.
Reports indicated the fire spread into a zone suspected to have unexploded ordnance, causing a sudden explosion. Shrapnel struck two Thai soldiers, injuring them. Military personnel on site provided first aid before urgently transferring them to Nam Yuen Hospital. The injured were identified as:
1. Staff Sergeant Thammarat Khlai Thip, Small Arms Squad Leader, suffered blast injuries causing unconsciousness and shrapnel wounds above the right clavicle. Doctors treated him, conducted an electrocardiogram, and performed a CT scan. He initially showed confused speech and low blood pressure. Medical staff decided to transfer him via air ambulance to Sapphasitthiprasong Hospital for further treatment.
2. Private Veerasak Kanha Rueang was also rendered unconscious by the blast. He was taken to Sapphasitthiprasong Hospital where doctors are monitoring his condition while he rests.
The type and size of the explosive device that detonated are still under investigation. Witnesses reported that before the explosion, they saw a fire in the bamboo thicket in front of the barbed wire fence. They prepared to bring water to extinguish the fire to prevent it from spreading into the operational base when the explosion occurred.
Later, at 16:38, the 2nd Army Region posted a statement explaining the forest fire near the operational base caused injuries to personnel due to unexploded ordnance.
The statement said that on 30 January 2025, at the Chong An Ma operational base area, soldiers inspecting the bamboo thicket fire in front of the base triggered an explosion from old unexploded ordnance, injuring two personnel. They were urgently sent for medical care and are currently in stable condition under close doctor supervision. Safety standards in the area have been increased.
Thanks to the 2nd Army Region Facebook page for the information.