Safety
Mine Clearance Soldier 'Ja Jo' Recovering After Fourth Surgery
Sergeant Major Channarong Wongchana is recovering after his fourth surgery following a landmine accident in Ubon Ratchathani.
According to Khaosod Online, Sergeant Major Channarong Wongchana, known as 'Ja Jo,' is currently recovering after undergoing his fourth successful surgery. The soldier, attached to the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, King's Guard, was injured on August 17, 2026, while conducting humanitarian mine clearance operations with the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) near the O-Pa-Ka-Snae area in Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani. The incident involved a PMN2 landmine, resulting in the loss of his right ankle and injuries to his right hand.
Medical teams performed the latest procedure to clean and prepare his wounds for future prosthetic fitting. He is scheduled to be transferred to Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok in approximately two weeks. Since the accident, the soldier has received visits from high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister and Anutin Charnvirakul, alongside ongoing public support.
For residents and travelers, this incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian efforts to clear landmines in remote border regions of Thailand. While the situation for the soldier is stabilizing, the exact timeline for his rehabilitation and the long-term status of the clearance operations in the affected area remain subject to official updates from the Thailand Mine Action Center.