Urgent! The Second Army Region has sent a Thai-Cambodian border liaison team to inspect and prepare aid for Thai nationals after Cambodia detained them for illegal immigration charges. They were suspected of foraging in forest areas along the border near Chong Talaeng and moving close to a Cambodian base. Efforts are underway to coordinate assistance.
On 10 May 2026, the Second Army Region received reports from the Suranaree Task Force about a Cambodian military detaining a Thai man after he illegally crossed the border near Chong Talaeng, Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, to forage in the forest. He then disappeared mysteriously for over 15 days, causing great concern for his family.
On 30 April 2026, a Facebook account named “Wiparat Thongsaysorn” shared a post searching for a relative who had gone to forage in the forest along the Chong Talaeng border but lost contact and had not returned home for 4-5 days.
Subsequently, security agencies including the military, police, and local administration deployed a news team to verify the missing person's background. They identified him as Mr. Yon Sainoi, 58, from Village No. 7, Kantruetramuan Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province. He worked as a forest forager and left home around 6 p.m. on 25 April 2026 riding a black Suzuki Smash motorcycle, license plate KKT 772 Surin, before disappearing without a trace.
Relatives said that normally Mr. Yon would enter the forest for only 1-2 days before returning home. They suspect an unexpected event occurred or that he might have been detained by Cambodian authorities. His wife, Mrs. Kannika Homkajorn, filed a missing person report at Kab Choeng Police Station on 29 April to request help in locating him.
On 4 May 2026, the Suranaree Task Force received coordination from local police and promptly contacted Cambodian counterparts through Colonel Pow Peng, head of the Cambodia-Thailand liaison unit at Or Samet area. The Cambodian side confirmed that Mr. Yon had illegally entered Cambodian territory and was arrested for illegal immigration charges. He was being prosecuted in Oddar Meanchey Province.
Reporters noted that the commander of the Second Army Region ordered the Suranaree Task Force commander to use the border liaison mechanisms to urgently coordinate with Cambodian military authorities to provide assistance as soon as possible.
The Suranaree Task Force stated they had only recently been contacted by the family for help. They promptly investigated and confirmed Mr. Yon’s detention. Arrangements for his return to Thailand are ongoing, following legal procedures between the two countries.
Major General Boonserm said the Suranaree Task Force, after receiving information from local police and the Facebook page “Khun Or Phairat,” learned that a resident from Prasat District, about 40 kilometers from the border, had been missing for several days.
After receiving this information, the military immediately coordinated with the Thai-Cambodian border liaison team. The Cambodian side promised to expedite their investigation.
Later that morning, the Cambodian liaison team called back to report that, following their check, the missing Thai individual was located in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, and was safe.
Upon receiving this notification, he ordered the Thai border liaison center to work with local administration officers, village heads, and police to promptly inform the missing person’s family to relieve their worries and confirm the individual's safety.