Veteran Thai soldier vows to fight again if border clashes return

A 64-year-old war veteran who has fought on several battlefields said he would volunteer to fight again if Thai–Cambodian border clashes were to erupt for a third time.

Anusit said he was ready to serve as reserve support personnel should fighting break out again between the two countries.

“Although I’m already retired, if the fighting happens again, I’m ready to die. When soldiers are on the battlefield, there’s nothing to fear. Death is death. If we fulfil our duty with honour and discipline, we are ready to do it for the nation and the people,” he said.

All he asks in return is that people “do not belittle us.”

Anusit was among about 3,000 Thai war veterans who took part in a ceremony at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Tuesday to mark War Veterans Day.

This year’s ceremony was also held in honour of the 42 Thai soldiers who sacrificed their lives during two rounds of Thai–Cambodian border clashes last year.

Their names were inscribed on the Victory Monument, and their ashes were interred there to honour their sacrifice.

Those attending the ceremony included the families of the fallen heroes, as well as senior officials, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the armed forces commanders-in-chief.

Anusit said he attends the ceremony every year and that, even though he has retired, his heart remains “100 percent a soldier.”

Dressed in black warrior attire, he said he fought on the Chong Bok battlefield from 1985 to 1987 during clashes between Thai and Vietnamese forces in Ubon Ratchathani province.

At that time, he said his ranger units served as frontline combat forces, with unit names such as “Zombie Company,” “Phi Kong Koi Unit,” “Black Bat Unit,” and “Saming Phrai Unit.”

“Back then, I was with the Phi Kong Koi Unit. When we were young, we weren’t afraid. We marched day and night, opening the front line for the Red Berets,” he said.

After Chong Bok, he continued fighting at Ban Rom Klao from 1987 to 1988. He was later sent to support Marines battling the Khmer Rouge along the Chanthaburi–Trat border.

He then served with the Internal Security Operations Command until his retirement.

Another war veteran, who identified himself only as Grandpa Chit, 80, attended the ceremony alone. He said he went to war when he was young and fought on many battlefields, including secret wars in Laos and Vietnam.

“I come back every year to remember. All my comrades are gone now. I don’t know if I’ll still be able to come again next year,” he said.

He declined to be photographed, saying simply, “I’m old. There’s nothing worth looking at.”

Inside the Victory Monument, the ashes of a total of 801 individuals who died while fighting for the nation are interred.

They include soldiers, police officers, and civilians who died during the Franco-Thai War (Indochina War), through World War II and the Korean War.

Their names are engraved on the monument, with their ashes arranged alphabetically, as are those of the 41 soldiers who fell more recently.

In accordance with Islamic practice, one Muslim soldier did not have his ashes interred. A name plaque was placed alongside those of his fellow soldiers instead.

Prime Minister Anutin said at the opening ceremony that the event served to commemorate the heroism of war veterans.

Last year differed from previous years, as Thailand experienced two border clashes with Cambodia, resulting in the loss of 42 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect national sovereignty.

This year’s Veterans Day observance will also differ from previous years, with events held over three days starting yesterday under the theme “Night of Honour.” The events begin at 7pm.