The family mourns as they receive the body of Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng, a warrior of the Taphraya battlefield, back in his hometown. They are proud their son served the nation but still wish he were alive.
On 23 Dec 2025 GMT+7 at 11:10 a.m., reporters stated that the body of Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng, also known as Corporal Boss, aged 28, from the 1st Infantry Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard (R.21 Bn 1 KG), who died in combat at the Taphraya battlefield in Sa Kaeo Province on 22 December 2025 GMT+7 defending sovereignty against Cambodian troops, was brought to Wat Charoensung, Ban Nong Ya Khao Nok, Laharn Subdistrict, Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum Province, his birthplace.
Along the route to the temple entrance, people stood waving Thai national flags to honor Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng's bravery, hailing him as a national hero amid the sorrow and pride of his family and the people of Chaiyaphum Province.
Upon arrival at the temporary helicopter field at Lahan Charoen Wittaya School, the body was moved to the funeral hall at Wat Charoensung, Ban Nong Ya Khao Nok, Laharn Subdistrict, Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum Province. An honor guard stood in formation to receive the body with full respect before moving Sergeant Kamphanat’s coffin into the hall. Lieutenant Colonel Kobchok Hasadee, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command in Chaiyaphum, along with local officials, District Chief Dech Senokham, government officers, former Pheu Thai MP Cherngchai Chaleerin, and local administrators were all present to pay respects.
That evening, Mr. Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum Province, represented the royal family in a ceremony to present royal wreaths from His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and all members of the royal family. The wreaths were respectfully arranged in front of Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng’s coffin inside the hall as a tribute.
His Majesty the King graciously accepted Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng’s body under royal patronage. The funeral rites, including four nights of Buddhist prayer ceremonies, were scheduled to begin on the evening of 23 December 2025 GMT+7. The royal cremation ceremony was set for Saturday, 27 December 2025 GMT+7, at the crematorium of Wat Charoensung, Ban Nong Ya Khao Nok, Laharn Subdistrict, Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum Province.
Mr. Tawee Thongsaeng, 48, father of Sergeant Kamphanat Thongsaeng, expressed gratitude to all Thai people for their support, saying, “Even though my son has sacrificed his life, people still come to encourage this hero. I feel both sadness and pride about the honorable ceremony for my son. But nothing compares to a child's life—now I will never see my son’s face again. If there is a next life, I hope he will be my son again. I miss him deeply. The last time I spoke to him was about four days ago; we planned to meet here for the New Year. I never imagined I would see him like this. I still can’t accept losing him. Now, every soldier feels like my own child. It’s so hard to accept. It’s very sad that I won’t see my son again. If there is a next life, I hope he is born as my son again.”