Urgent: Thai Man Arrested by Cambodian Forces for Illegal Border Crossing While Foraging; Region 2 Military Command Mobilizing Assistance
A 58-year-old Thai forest forager from Surin was arrested by Cambodian soldiers after illegally crossing the border to forage on April 25; Region 2 Military Command is coordinating with Cambodia for his release through diplomatic channels.
Urgent: Thai Man Arrested by Cambodian Forces for Illegal Border Crossing While Foraging; Region 2 Military Command Mobilizing Assistance. On May 10, 2025, Region 2 Military Command received a report from Surin forces that Cambodian soldiers had apprehended a Thai man who illegally crossed the border in the Talaeng checkpoint area of Kaeng Krachan District, Surin Province to forage for forest products, after he had gone missing for over 15 days, causing serious concern for his family.
The incident began on April 30, 2025, when a Facebook post from an account named "Wiparat Thongsaysorn" appealed for help locating a relative who had entered the forest to forage along the border and lost contact for 4-5 days.
Security, police, and administrative units subsequently investigated and identified the missing person as Mr. Yotchan, 58 years old, a resident of Prasat District, Surin Province, who works as a forest forager. He left home on April 25, 2025 around 6:00 PM on a motorcycle and disappeared without a trace.
The family reported that Mr. Yotchan typically only enters the forest for 1-2 days before returning home, raising suspicions that he may have encountered an unexpected incident or been detained by Cambodian authorities. His wife filed a missing person report at Kaeng Krachan Police Station on April 29 to request assistance in tracking him down.
On May 4, 2025, Surin forces received coordination from local police and urgently contacted the Cambodian side through Major Pho Peng, head of the Cambodian-Thai liaison unit in the Orotsmet area. Cambodia confirmed that Mr. Yotchan had illegally entered Cambodian territory and was arrested on charges of illegal border entry. He was transferred for prosecution in Udommachcai District.
Reporters indicated that the Region 2 Commander ordered the Surin forces commander to use the border liaison mechanism to urgently coordinate with Cambodian military counterparts for the fastest possible assistance.
Surin forces stated they recently received a help request from the family and immediately verified that Mr. Yotchan was indeed arrested. His return to Thailand is currently being coordinated through proper legal channels between the two countries.
Major Bunserm reported that after receiving coordination from local police and the Facebook page of "Khun Or Pairat," Surin forces learned of a missing person from Prasat District, located approximately 40 kilometers from the border.
Following this information, the military promptly contacted the Thai-Cambodian border liaison unit. Cambodia agreed to expedite the investigation. Early this morning, the Cambodian liaison unit called back to report that the missing Thai person is in Udormachcai District, Cambodia, and is safe and well.
Upon receiving this notification, orders were issued for the Thai border liaison center, together with administrative officials, village headmen, and police officers, to travel immediately to inform the missing person's family, so that relatives could be relieved of their worries and assured that he remains safe.
