Sisaket: Villagers in the Sao Thong Chai subdistrict of the Kantharalak district are grappling with devastation after returning from evacuation centers to find their homes reduced to ruins by artillery shelling from Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, the shells left significant destruction, notably impacting Mr. Kulnathi, a local resident, who was moved to tears upon seeing his severely damaged home. His house, an inheritance over 30 years old, suffered extensive damage, with doors, windows, and the roof obliterated, making repairs impossible.
Two BM-21 rocket launchers were discovered in the rice fields of Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. EOD officers promptly destroyed the launchers. Nam Yuen district chief urged villagers to report any suspicious findings promptly. CCTV footage captured the exact moment when Cambodian shells struck, highlighting the force of the impact as dust filled the air. The unsettling event occurred at 10:00 a.m. on July 24th in Ban Phum Soron.
In a response to the incident, administrative and security agencies, along with local police and EOD teams, worked meticulously to neutralize any remaining threats from unexploded ordnance. In one instance, a 1.5-meter-deep pit was discovered containing a rocket tip. Officials safely detonated the explosive, ensuring the area was clear of danger. However, at a second site, no additional devices were found, and the search was concluded without incident.
Mr. Rattapakorn Sukthaweedamrong, Nam Yuen District Chief, confirmed that the destruction process of the rocket heads was consistent with initial procedures. Despite the lack of new findings, villagers have been instructed to be vigilant and report any suspicious objects to authorities. Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaradet Pakkarasung assured that all evidence will be thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The authorities have identified a total of 63 BM-21 rocket launchers in Nam Yuen District. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that all threats are neutralized, with officials ready to act swiftly upon any new reports from villagers returning to their rice fields.