The Bangkok Post
Sunday July 20, 2008
Soldier waits to have artificial leg fitted after stepping on landmine at borderStory
by APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Every night on Ratchadamnoen avenue the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stand on their stage and demand the return of Preah Vihear temple to Thailand from Cambodia.
Near the border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, members of the Dharmayatra group have been staging their own protests and have been pushing for the eviction of Cambodian people living in the disputed area.
Both groups are targeting Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet members, who, according to the groups, must be ousted for mishandling the issue.
But the real victim of the dispute is soldier Wilai Arom.
The paramilitary ranger from unit 2301 is in Phramongkutklao Hospital waiting to have an artificial leg fitted.
He stepped on a landmine on Tuesday while on duty guarding the border at Phu Makheu, near the temple. He was rushed by helicopter to the hospital at the Sapasitprasong military camp in Warin Chamrap district in Ubon Ratchathani. The blast from the landmine was so strong his right leg was blown off.
The landmine blast caught the public's attention, but his case is gradually being forgotten as people return to day-to-day developments in the military stand-off between the two countries and attempts by both governments to ease tensions.
Despite his unfortunate accident, Mr Wilai is in good spirits.
While Thailand and Cambodia are rushing more troops to the area, he said he hopes there is a way to end the conflict quickly due to the close ties between people from the two countries and between their soldiers.
''Thai and Cambodian soldiers have very good relations because of the language. We speak Khmer and the language destroys all barriers,'' he said.
''We share food and cigarettes and play sports together. Many Cambodian soldiers used to come to shop at the Pha Mor E-Daeng market,'' he recalled of the days before relations became strained.
He is confident nothing can change the good relationships at local level and said all Cambodians and Thais living in the area were looking forward to the same thing.
''Local people in Cambodia and Thailand would like to see the situation return to normal as soon as possible. They want to get on with their lives and get back to normal,'' he said.
''I hope the leaders of the two countries urgently discuss the issue and come up with the best solution,'' he added.
The 48-year-old from Si Sa Ket has spent more than 20 years in the armed forces and his first mission was at Chong Bok pass in Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district.
On his last mission last Tuesday, the Thai-Cambodian border area was tense after three protesters from the Dharmayatra group _ Phra Khampheng, Vicharn Tabsorn and Chanikarn Kengnok _ went into the overlapping zone to stage a peaceful protest and were arrested by Cambodian soldiers. They were later released but decided to stay on and meditate until Friday, when they were joined by other members of their group at the border.
As protests against the government and demands for the return of the temple continue, Mr Wilai warned people not to become the ''victims of circumstance''.
''We are Buddhists so we should follow Lord Buddha's teaching of generosity. We must exercise consciousness to make better judgments during this sensitive situation, which requires strong understanding,'' he said.
The landmine explosion reminded the government of the dangers in the area.
''The incident has caused concern with Thai authorities as more landmines remain in the area, posing a danger to both civilians and military personnel,'' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The army has sent deminers into the area, it added.
Mr Wilai's wife Nittaya, who rushed to see him, along with their two sons and neighbours, at the hospital on Tuesday, said she and her family were not saddened by what happened as he was on duty and protecting the country's sovereignty.
Second Army chief Lt-Gen Sujit Sithiprapa promised Mr Wilai would not be without help as the army would support him and his family.
The PAD on Friday donated 100,000 baht. PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan praised Mr Wilai for his determination to protect the country.
Mr Wilai now plans to spend his retirement with his family in Si Sa Ket and will keep the money to help with the education of his daughter, who is studying at Rajabhat University in the northeastern province.
Sunday July 20, 2008
Soldier waits to have artificial leg fitted after stepping on landmine at borderStory
by APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Every night on Ratchadamnoen avenue the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stand on their stage and demand the return of Preah Vihear temple to Thailand from Cambodia.
Near the border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, members of the Dharmayatra group have been staging their own protests and have been pushing for the eviction of Cambodian people living in the disputed area.
Both groups are targeting Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet members, who, according to the groups, must be ousted for mishandling the issue.
But the real victim of the dispute is soldier Wilai Arom.
The paramilitary ranger from unit 2301 is in Phramongkutklao Hospital waiting to have an artificial leg fitted.
He stepped on a landmine on Tuesday while on duty guarding the border at Phu Makheu, near the temple. He was rushed by helicopter to the hospital at the Sapasitprasong military camp in Warin Chamrap district in Ubon Ratchathani. The blast from the landmine was so strong his right leg was blown off.
The landmine blast caught the public's attention, but his case is gradually being forgotten as people return to day-to-day developments in the military stand-off between the two countries and attempts by both governments to ease tensions.
Despite his unfortunate accident, Mr Wilai is in good spirits.
While Thailand and Cambodia are rushing more troops to the area, he said he hopes there is a way to end the conflict quickly due to the close ties between people from the two countries and between their soldiers.
''Thai and Cambodian soldiers have very good relations because of the language. We speak Khmer and the language destroys all barriers,'' he said.
''We share food and cigarettes and play sports together. Many Cambodian soldiers used to come to shop at the Pha Mor E-Daeng market,'' he recalled of the days before relations became strained.
He is confident nothing can change the good relationships at local level and said all Cambodians and Thais living in the area were looking forward to the same thing.
''Local people in Cambodia and Thailand would like to see the situation return to normal as soon as possible. They want to get on with their lives and get back to normal,'' he said.
''I hope the leaders of the two countries urgently discuss the issue and come up with the best solution,'' he added.
The 48-year-old from Si Sa Ket has spent more than 20 years in the armed forces and his first mission was at Chong Bok pass in Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district.
On his last mission last Tuesday, the Thai-Cambodian border area was tense after three protesters from the Dharmayatra group _ Phra Khampheng, Vicharn Tabsorn and Chanikarn Kengnok _ went into the overlapping zone to stage a peaceful protest and were arrested by Cambodian soldiers. They were later released but decided to stay on and meditate until Friday, when they were joined by other members of their group at the border.
As protests against the government and demands for the return of the temple continue, Mr Wilai warned people not to become the ''victims of circumstance''.
''We are Buddhists so we should follow Lord Buddha's teaching of generosity. We must exercise consciousness to make better judgments during this sensitive situation, which requires strong understanding,'' he said.
The landmine explosion reminded the government of the dangers in the area.
''The incident has caused concern with Thai authorities as more landmines remain in the area, posing a danger to both civilians and military personnel,'' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The army has sent deminers into the area, it added.
Mr Wilai's wife Nittaya, who rushed to see him, along with their two sons and neighbours, at the hospital on Tuesday, said she and her family were not saddened by what happened as he was on duty and protecting the country's sovereignty.
Second Army chief Lt-Gen Sujit Sithiprapa promised Mr Wilai would not be without help as the army would support him and his family.
The PAD on Friday donated 100,000 baht. PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan praised Mr Wilai for his determination to protect the country.
Mr Wilai now plans to spend his retirement with his family in Si Sa Ket and will keep the money to help with the education of his daughter, who is studying at Rajabhat University in the northeastern province.
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