The Second Army Commander personally inspected the site where a soldier lost his leg after stepping on a landmine whileon dutyat the Erawan base in the Chong Rayi area. It was identified as a PMN-1 landmine. He ordered bomb disposal units to thoroughly re-examine the areain detail.He also promptly visited to encourage the injured soldier.
On 27 Feb 2016, at 06:44, a soldier from the 233rd Infantry Company assigned to the Erawan operational base in the Chong Rayi area, Kabchoeng District, Surin Province, stepped on an explosive device while on duty. This caused serious injury to one soldier, Private Det Sak Trikam, a light machine gunner, who sustained severe wounds to his right leg. After the incident, initial first aid was provided and he was urgently transferred to the nearest hospital, where he remains under close medical care.
Following the incident, Lieutenant General Weerayut Raksin, the Second Army Commander, personally visited the site alongside bomb disposal teams to assess the situation and ensure safety.
Furthermore,the Second Army Commander ordered bomb disposal units to conduct a thorough re-examination of the area, even though the Erawan base has been under control since the second ceasefire and had been checked twice before. It is initially believed the explosive device was buried deeply underground, which prevented earlier detection.
Interviews with personnel at the base revealed that the injured soldier was the third person walking along a footpath heading to the restroom near the quarters, a route regularly used, when he stepped on the explosive. Examination of the site and evidence confirmed the device was a PMN-1 anti-personnel landmine.
After completing the site inspection, the Second Army Commander planned to visit the hospital to check on and encourage the injured soldier.