"Uncle Yon" identifies the spot, dispelling social media rumors of abduction, and confirms he was engrossed in gathering forest products until he accidentally crossed into Cambodian territory. He expresses gratitude for the coordination that helped him return home.
On 18 May 2026 at Chong Ta Leng, Khok Takian Subdistrict, Kab Charoen District, Surin Province, Colonel Thanin Domhom, commander of Task Force 2, along with Colonel Nitikorn Sirikam, commander of the 26th Ranger Regiment Task Force, and intelligence officers from the 2nd Army Region, visited the area with Mr. Yon Sainoi, or Uncle Yon, a local resident who got lost crossing the border into Cambodia on 26 April. They aimed to identify the exact location and verify the facts about where he got lost.
This visit followed social media rumors claiming that Mr. Yon was abducted by Cambodian soldiers who illegally entered Thai territory to detain him, causing public misunderstanding. Military authorities therefore invited Mr. Yon, his son Mr. Ratchapon Sainoi, and the media to retrace the route on foot—covering over 5 kilometers through difficult terrain—to the area known as "Dok Krachiao Field."
Mr. Yon admitted that on the day in question, he had been so focused on gathering forest products that he unknowingly crossed more than one kilometer into Cambodian territory. He was then detained by Cambodian authorities but was released back to Thailand on 15 May 2026, thanks to coordinated efforts between the 2nd Army Region of Thailand and Cambodia's 4th Regional Military Unit.
Mr. Yon Sainoi, aged 58, shared his feelings, saying that although he had been uncertain about exactly where he had wandered, seeing the border markers and maps alongside the real location made him confident he had crossed the border by mistake. He thanked all officials involved for their assistance and advised villagers who collect forest products to be cautious near border areas and always inform community leaders or military personnel at local bases before entering the forest to prevent unfortunate incidents like his.