Surin: The 2nd Army Region confirms that "Uncle Yot" was foraging in the forest and accidentally crossed the border into Cambodia on his own. He thanked the soldiers for helping to coordinate his safe return home and urged villagers to be cautious when entering forests near the border.
According to Thai News Agency, the 2nd Army Area Command, through the Suranaree Task Force, assigned Task Force 2 to investigate the route and location where Mr. Yot Saynoi was apprehended by Cambodian soldiers south of Chong Taleng, Kab Choeng District, Surin Province. This followed reports on social media that Cambodian soldiers had illegally entered Thailand to arrest an individual, leading to misunderstandings.
Colonel Thanin Domhom, Commander of Task Force 2, along with Colonel Kittisak Bangpimay, Head of the Intelligence Section, 2nd Army Area, Colonel Nitikorn Sirikham, Commander of Task Force 26, and Mr. Yot Saynoi, 58, and his son, Mr. Ratavut Saynoi, 21, participated in a ground investigation to verify the route. Mr. Yot admitted that on the day of the incident, he got so engrossed in gathering forest products that he accidentally crossed into Cambodian territory. He was apprehended by Cambodian authorities on April 15, 2016, and released back to Thailand on May 15, 2016, thanks to the close cooperation and coordination between the 2nd Army Area and the 4th Military Region of Cambodia. Initially, he was unsure of his exact location, but after officials conducted a verification process, pointing out border markers, maps, and the actual location, he was certain he had wandered in the wrong way.
Mr. Yot expressed gratitude to all the officials who provided full assistance, enabling his safe return to his family. He also warned people foraging in forest products along the border to exercise increased caution. He advised against venturing into border areas without permission and emphasized the importance of informing community leaders or military personnel at operational bases before entering the forest to prevent unforeseen incidents.
An inspection of the motorcycle parking area and the forest trails near Chong Taleng revealed that the point where Mr. Yot was apprehended was approximately 5 kilometers from the motorcycle parking area, across the barbed wire fence and Thai security positions, into Cambodia.