Thai ex-ranger held for assaulting Cambodian soldier at Ta Muen Thom

The Thai army’s Suranaree Task Force has detained a former paramilitary ranger for allegedly assaulting a Cambodian military officer at Ta Muen Temple in Thailand’s Surin province, army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said today.

The suspect, identified as Sommai, currently serves as the president of the Volunteer Rangers Club at Pak Thong Chai Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima province. He was handed over to police to face legal charges.

Winthai said the incident occurred at around 10.20am at Ta Muen Temple in Phanom Dong Rak district on Sunday, where the suspect physically attacked a Cambodian military officer assigned to liaison duties at the temple.

He allegedly punched the Cambodian officer from both behind and in front before fleeing the scene. Thai authorities later tracked him down and detained him.

Sommai is also the head of a veterans' network in Samut Sakhon province.

Winthai added that Thai military officers have clarified the situation to their Cambodian counterparts to prevent the incident from affecting relations between the two sides.

The temple has been at the center of controversy lately, as it is one of four sites over which Cambodia has asked the World Court to rule on ownership, while Thailand maintains that it is situated on Thai soil.

The submission of petitions to the World Court has further strained bilateral relations, following clashes between troops near the Chong Bok Pass in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province in late May.