Kab Choeng District announced again requesting public cooperation to "avoid entering the border area" after a "Thai citizen" gathering forest products was detained by Cambodian soldiers. The district assured that once legal proceedings are complete, coordination will be made to bring him back.
On 12 May 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that Mr. Yot Sainoi, 58, from Kantujaramuan Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province, entered the Thai-Cambodian border forest to catch frogs and gather forest products on 25 April 2026 GMT+7. He was then detained by Cambodian soldiers to face legal proceedings and awaits trial in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia. Today marks the 17th day since the incident, as previously reported.
Recently, the Kab Choeng District Office in Surin Province issued a notice requesting public cooperation to avoid entering the Thai-Cambodia border area. It stated that since this is a controlled area and not yet safe, there may be explosives, landmines, and unexploded ammunition, as well as foreign armed forces present. Photographing military sites may also violate the law. For the safety of officials and the public, cooperation is requested to avoid the border area and to strictly follow official advice.
Mr. Nirand Sunthornsiri, district chief of Kab Choeng, said that after a villager went missing, Kab Choeng District coordinated with Kab Choeng Police Station, local military units, and village heads. They learned that the missing person was a local resident from Kantujaramuan Subdistrict, Prasat District, who disappeared since 25 April. Relatives reported the disappearance on 29 April. The district informed the Surin provincial governor and coordinated with the task force and the Thai-Cambodia border coordination center.
Prasat and Kab Choeng districts and Kab Choeng Police Station visited the family to provide updates and clarify the facts, helping to reassure them. Mr. Yot is being held in Oddar Meanchey and must await the completion of Cambodian legal procedures. The security side, via the Thai-Cambodia border coordination center, will coordinate to request his repatriation once possible.
Kab Choeng District has issued a ban on public entry into the border forest area. This announcement has been in place since the first round of the situation but is being reiterated to prevent the public from forgetting. The district and Huai Thap Than-Huai Samran Wildlife Sanctuary have also issued similar notices, requesting public cooperation.
Additionally, I have discussed with the Prasat district chief about providing part of the funds, survival bags, and involving government agencies to assist in promoting livelihoods for the family of Mr. Yot Sainoi.