“Lt. Col. Jiranuwat” opens up: Securing Hill 677 was no easy feat

Today (30 March 2026) at 3:08 PM at Chong An Ma, Hill 677, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Lt. Col. Jiranuwat Srihom, Deputy Commander of the 23rd Ranger Forces Task Force, stated that war inherently brings immense pressure. During the second round of clashes in December 2025, Thai forces successfully prioritized and seized control of Hill 677 before expanding to other sectors, as this hill is the highest point in the Chong An Ma area.

Lt. Col. Jiranuwat recalled the casualties sustained during the conflict: the first round of clashes in July 2025 claimed the life of one soldier, Corporal Torpong Panduang from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment (Bodin Decha Camp, Yasothon). The second round of clashes saw the loss of six more comrades, totaling 7 soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice on the Chong An Ma battlefield.

Regarding the operation, Lt. Col. Jiranuwat explained that the assault on Hill 677 took a total of 5–6 days. The strategy involved using supporting fire and attack drones to neutralize targets and minimize Cambodian resistance before ground units moved in when the opportunity was optimal. Meanwhile, the assault on Hill 500 was carried out by infantry units over a 3-day period until the entire area was secured. He emphasized that there was no fixed deadline for these operations; instead, the priority was the maximum safety of personnel, which made creating favorable conditions for each objective extremely challenging.

When asked about the inter-agency cooperation, Lt. Col. Jiranuwat noted that the mission involved integrated cooperation between multiple branches, including Rangers, Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. All units had to synchronize their movements, communicate in a unified "language," and execute actions with precise timing. The Royal Thai Air Force also played a significant role in the operations.

In his closing remarks, when asked what he would like to say to the government and the public now that Thai forces have successfully reclaimed the territory, Lt. Col. Jiranuwat stated that troops are currently stationed in the area. He asked for moral support for the soldiers on the front lines to maintain their spirits. He assured the public that the Royal Thai Army and border defense forces remain fully prepared should a third round of clashes occur, expressing total confidence in their ability to protect national sovereignty.

Photo : Khanisorn Lorthongdaeng