Injured soldiers promise to keep up the good fight

Sukrit said he volunteered to work in the Deep South shortly after graduating from the military academy and wants to return to service after making a full recovery, hopefully in September. He said his father’s care for him, and regular visits by friends and relatives had given him new hope.

Meanwhile, Army Sergeant Bukholee Minsomboon, attached to the 43rd paramilitary ranger regiment, sustained injuries to his left shoulder and the lower part of his body in an ambush by insurgents that took place in June. He now has a number of metal plates as a result of internal injuries. A squad leader, aged 35, said he enlisted in the ranger unit six years ago because he wanted to help bring an end to the violence.

Bukholee is a local Muslim, which makes him well-suited to be a member of the all-volunteer ranger unit. He said he would return to service after recovering, although he expects his recovery could take some time yet. But Bukholee said he did not feel neglected as he had got excellent treatment, as well medical cover he was entitled to.

A third soldier – Sergeant Major Samran Khongkul, attached to 44th paramilitary ranger regiment, receives constant care from his wife Suda, so he was always in good spirits. His two legs and left arm were broken in a bomb attack in April. 

Samran, 53, said he will return to service after full recovery and plans to continue his career in the military until retirement. 

“I am never demoralised by my injuries, and I am always proud of my 23 years of service to the country,” he said.

Samran said he kept telling his second son, who recently entered the army’s non-commissioned military college, to be determined and to serve his country after he graduates.