BANGKOK — Thai health authorities are rushing face masks to Thai soldiers stationed along the Thai-Cambodia border, while a renowned herbal hospital is sending inhalers and menthol balms to help alleviate the problem of corpse odors drifting from the Cambodian side.
Thai forces have been maintaining positions along the border following five days of clashes from July 24-28. However, Thai soldiers are now facing another serious challenge: the overwhelming smell from bodies of opposing forces, prompting Thailand’s Deputy Defense Minister to request that Cambodia’s Defense Minister retrieve the remains to honor the fallen soldiers.
Please Retrieve Fallen Soldiers
General Nathapol Nakphanit, Deputy Defense Minister, expressed sympathy for the Cambodian soldiers who lost their lives, noting that the Cambodian government has denied they were their soldiers.
“Regardless of whether this is true, these are Cambodians who have died. If left unattended for too long, it could lead to disease outbreaks,” he said.
“I have emphasized to Cambodia’s Defense Minister that many Cambodian soldiers have died and have not yet been retrieved. I ask that this be handled properly according to health standards and with dignity befitting soldiers. Even though I am a Thai army officer and we may be adversaries with Cambodia, when soldiers die, we must honor them and proceed with dignity.”
Spread Hydrated Lime Powder
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, reported that during his August 5 inspection of the Phu Makheua base in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, corpse odors from Cambodian soldiers persist in the area. He has ordered troops to spread hydrated lime powder as an environmentally safe method to prevent disease and neutralize odors.
The regional commander emphasized that Thai forces have not been ordered to retrieve the Cambodian soldiers’ remains, stating this responsibility lies with the Cambodian military.
“We have coordinated with the Cambodian army to send a team to collect the bodies of their deceased soldiers to perform funeral rites and bring things to order,” he said.
Deploy N95 Masks to Border Areas
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is working to address the immediate problem to help alleviate the physical and psychological impact of the odors, particularly in border areas around Phu Makheua in Sisaket Province and near Ta Kway and Ta Muen Thom temples in Surin Province.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin addressed the severe odor from Cambodian soldiers’ bodies, stating he has ordered the Department of Health and Department of Disease Control to provide assistance. “The odor problem can be prevented with N95 masks, which we distributed to officials and evacuees on August 5,” he said.
He explained that chemical reactions from decomposing bodies cause the foul smell but do not spread infectious diseases, though they may cause dizziness. “For people sensitive to such odors, various problems may arise. Using N95 masks or sprays may provide relief.”
Traditional Medicine Support
Meanwhile, Dr. Supaporn Pitiporn, Chairman of the Thai Wisdom Development Committee at Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation, announced that the foundation is rushing to send 2,000 tubes of “therapeutic inhalers and menthol balms” to border areas to help Thai-Khmer border officials cope with odors from deceased Cambodian soldiers.
She noted that traditionally, herbs such as guava leaves, wild betel leaves, kaffir lime, ma-sang, pikul flowers, and hidden-scent flowers were used to mask corpse odors.
“Currently, essential oils under aromatherapy science can provide partial relief, such as peppermint and menthol, which help alleviate sensations. Combined with N95 masks with carbon filters, these can help filter VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and irritating odors.”
The pharmacist advised affected civilians without access to inhalers or menthol balms to use herbs like wild betel leaves, kaffir lime leaves, or kaffir lime fruit. “Crush them to release their scent, then apply to your hands and rub on your arms and legs. These scents can help alleviate odors, especially wild betel leaves, which are quite effective against corpse odors and are readily available in Surin Province.”
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