Thai PM Inspects Disputed Border, Honors Fallen Soldier

SURIN, Dec 30 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the volatile Thai-Cambodian border on Monday, questioning the age of recently discovered landmines before attending the funeral of a soldier killed in a recent clash.

Anutin traveled to the Thai-Cambodian border to inspect military outposts at Ta Kwai Temple and Hill 350 in Surin province, strategic areas recently reclaimed by Thai forces from Cambodia.

At Hill 350, Anutin pointed to a foam crate used for storing PMN-2 landmines, questioning how such material could remain intact if the weapons were decades old. 

The Prime Minister also paid his respects at the exact site where two soldiers recently fell, thanking troops for their service in the high-risk border zone.

Later that day, the Prime Minister traveled to Amnat Charoen province to preside over the royal cremation of Private Thanaphat Nanthawong, who died during a Dec. 23 clash at Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaew province.

Anutin presented the national flag and military compensation to the family, praising the soldier's ultimate sacrifice for national sovereignty. -819 (TNA)