Phanom Sukprasoet
Bio
Phanom Sukprasoet joined the Thai Army in 1950 despite knowing little about Korea. After nearly a decade of freelance agricultural work, he found himself in Korea where he spent much of his time working in the medical center. A very proud Korean War Veteran, Phanom revisited Korea for the 70th Anniversary commemoration and was impressed with the country’s development.
Video Clips
First Impressions
Phanom Sukprasoet witnessed the complete destruction of Busan upon arriving in Korea in 1950 as part of the first rotation of the Thai Army. Although the cities were devastated, he noticed that in the rural areas, some houses were still standing, albeit with only a few elderly people remaining. Reflecting on the devastation, he couldn't help but think that the war should never have happened especially when considering the destruction of cities and the loss of many lives.
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Korean Children
As Phanom Sukprasoet reminisces about his time in Korea, vivid memories of numerous small children come to mind. These children, found in the streets of the city, were living in extreme poverty and hunger. He distinctly remembers observing some of these children rummaging through garbage bins for food. Whenever he encountered these children begging for food, he recalls generously sharing whatever he had with them.
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Almost Going Crazy
Phanom Sukprasoet experienced many terrifying moments during his time in Korea. He recalls the constant bombing and the sound of cannons going off making him feel as if he were going crazy. The freezing weather added to the hardship, making it painful to touch any metal objects. Despite these challenges, he emphatically states that he has no regrets about serving in Korea.
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Didn't Recognize Where He Was
Phanom Sukprasoet describes struck by how unrecognizable the landscape was as he traveled between Incheon and Seoul during his return trip to Korea for the 70th Anniversary commemoration. He marvels at the incredible development of Korea, particularly the cities, which he found to be bigger and more developed than Bangkok. He expresses immense pride in his role in the Korean War.
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