Thai Army Instructor Died After Saving Trainee’s Life During Live Grenade Training

Back when I was still undergoing Basic Military Training (BMT), sweaty palms were a rampant topic, and it was no wonder considering how every trainee had to go through a mandatory palm-intensive exercise:

A live grenade throwing session.

Now, just to clarify; I remember the time I had to throw one myself, and it was pretty darn nerve-wracking. The feeling of having a live grenade pressed against my chest, in particular, was probably one of the worst feelings in the world, right there beside pooping after a shower.

“It’s not gonna go off, right?” I wondered. “If my heart beats fast enough, will it trigger a reaction?”

(Editor’s Note: That was my exact thought, too)

Thankfully, of course, it didn’t, and I ended up completing the exercise successfully with no severe repercussions. And like everyone else, I just kinda shelved the matter to the back of my mind, and never really touched upon it ever again…

Until today, anyway, when I encountered the following topic:

Thai Army Instructor Died After Saving Trainee’s Life During Live Grenade Training

You see, while I might’ve become numb to the intensity of the exercise itself, I’ve never once forgotten the chronic fear that streamed through my veins as I pulled out the grenade’s pin. Because as the topic above served to remind me…

It could so easily have gone the other way.

Which is why, lest you’re not aware, instructors are unusually nice and understanding during live grenade training.

The Hero

According to AsiaOne, Sergeant Major First Class Somchai Thanabat, 32, has been hailed as a hero after he perished attempting to save a trainee who failed to throw a live grenade successfully.

The incident happened at the Thanarat military camp in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Pran Buri district, on Tuesday morning (4 June 2019).

According to reports, the explosion, which transpired five seconds after Kanopkol drew the grenade’s pin, instantaneously killed Somchai who grasped the explosive. As for Kanopkol, his lower arm was torn off by the blast.

Somchai is survived by his wife and their 11-year-old daughter.

Condolences

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-Gen Kongcheep Tantravaich said Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has since offered his condolences to the affected families.

Additionally, the army will be providing them with aid, including financial assistance for Somchai’s funeral and Kanopkol’s medical expenses. They will also be checking into the incident in order to step up safety measures.

According to reports, Commander-in-chief Apirat Kongsompong has also offered his condolences as well as financial assistance to the families of Somchai and the injured trainee.

He Was A Good-Hearted Person

Somchai’s funeral was ultimately held at his hometown Chumphon’s Tha Sae district, and he was perceived as an all-around good-hearted person by his childhood friend, Bangkok-based engineer Naran Daengsakol, 33.

“He was nice and friendly so he was loved by friends and villagers. He often came to visit relatives and he was helpful to others and never boasted about being a soldier. His dream was to become a commissioned officer, but he passed away first. He died a hero, a responsible instructor who saved his trainee during dangerous training,” Naran said.

Close mishaps in Singapore

While non-numerous, the SAF has had its fair share of grenade-related accidents as well.

Back in 2013, two servicemen were injured after a hand grenade exploded in mid-air. Recruit Abdul Hamid accidentally released the hand grenade’s level while pulling out the safety pin, and 2Lt Kamalasivam instructed him to throw the grenade towards a designated impact. The officer then shielded Abdul with his own body.

Fortunately, they emerged relatively unscathed, with the 2LT sustaining a hit in his shoulder and the recruit a finger injury.

And back in 2008, 2LT Kok Khew Fai had thrown himself over a recruit after the latter dropped a grenade in the midst of a grenade-throwing exercise.

The pair escaped unscathed.

Our condolences

It’s never an easy task taking on responsibility, and that’s even more so for someone whose primary task is to take charge of a grenade-throwing virgin.

Kudos, Sergeant Major First Class Somchai Thanabat, and I hope your surviving family members will find peace to move on as soon as possible.

For recruit Kanopkol, I genuinely wish that you’ll find enough courage to get over the guilt you must be feeling, and become a better person in the process.

To all the serving soldiers of today, whether it’s local or international, kudos…

And remember to thank everyone for their service.