Ranger wounded in clash with Cambodia dies

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

(BangkokPost.com) - Volunteer ranger Bunyarit Kantee, a field army who was critically wounded during the armed clash with Cambodian troops on Oct 15, died Tuesday morning after brain surgery, according to chief of public relations of the second army region Col Thaweesak Boonrakchart.

Bunyarit was admitted to a hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province after the the clash.

His family would take his body for a funeral in Si Saket province.

Bunyarit is the first Thai soldier who was killed in the clash on disputed area near Preah Vihear ancient temple. Two Cambodian soldiers were killed that day.

Thai soldier injured in Cambodia border clash dies: doctor

Thai soldiers secure the entrance of a temporary military base close to the border with Cambodia on October 16. A Thai soldier who sustained shrapnel wounds to the head during a firefight with Cambodian troops along their disputed border died on Tuesday, the doctor treating him said. (AFP/Nicolas Asfouri)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

BANGKOK (AFP) – A Thai soldier who sustained shrapnel wounds to the head during a firefight with Cambodian troops along their disputed border died on Tuesday, the doctor treating him said.

Boonyarit Khanti, 40, had been in a coma since October 15, when gunfire erupted on patches of disputed land near Cambodia's ancient Preah Vihear temple, a UN heritage site at the centre of long-standing bilateral tensions.

"He died (Tuesday morning) from sudden kidney failure, which was one of the complications," said Monchai Wiwatanasithipong, a doctor at Suppasithiprasong Hospital in northeast Ubon Ratchathani province.

Two Cambodian soldiers died during the shoot-out, while a third died a day later of smoke inhalation and illness which authorities said was linked to the clashes.

Six Thai soldiers were also injured.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand flared in July when Preah Vihear was awarded UN World Heritage status, rekindling long-simmering tensions over ownership of land surrounding the temple.