Thai soldier injured on border dies

Written by Writer on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

Written by AFP
Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Preah Vihear

A Thai soldier who sustained shrapnel wounds to the head during a firefight with Cambodian troops along their disputed border died Tuesday morning, the doctor treating him said. Boonyarit Khanti, 40, had been in a coma since October 15, when gunfire erupted on patches of disputed land near Cambodia’s ancient Preah Vihear temple, the UN World Heritage site at the centre of long-standing tensions.

The soldier died from sudden kidney failure, which was one of the complications of the injury, said Monchai Wiwatanasithipong, a doctor at Suppasithiprasong Hospital in northeast Ubon Ratchathani province. Two Cambodian soldiers died during the shoot-out, while a third died a day later of smoke inhalation and illness that authorities said was linked to the clashes. Six Thai soldiers were also wounded.

The Phnom Penh Post