DC-Cam: A Heroic Soldier: Chhaun Tola’s Sacrifice at Ta Moan Temple

Heroic soldier Chhaun Tola sacrificed his life on the night of December 13, 2025, due to a bomb dropped by a Thai military drone at the frontlines of the Ta Moan Temple sector.

Chhaun Tola

Tola was a member of the 5th Intervention Brigade, stationed in Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province. Having loved the military since a young age, Tola fulfilled his duties with excellence, defending his homeland until his final breath.

Early Life and Family

Chhaun Tola, male, aged 29, was born in Srae Noy, Varin District, Siem Reap Province. He was the son of Mr. Smieng Chhuong and Mrs. Phnom Kis. Tola was the second of four siblings (one sister and three brothers). During his childhood, he attended Srae Noy Primary School. Later, his parents moved to Po Thmei Village, Beng Commune, Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey. This village is located near the headquarters of the 5th Intervention Brigade. Because Tola’s father served as a military medic within that same brigade, the family relocated there to be near his post.

Education

At age 13, Tola was sent to Ampil Secondary School. During this time, he lived with his uncle, Pem Phum, who served as the Commander of the 231st Intervention Platoon. Tola completed his education through Grade 9, but despite passing his lower secondary exams, he could not continue to high school because the school was too far and his family faced financial hardships.

Military Career

In 2016, at the age of 20, Tola followed his lifelong passion and applied for the military. He was accepted into the 5th Intervention Brigade and underwent three months of rigorous training at the 2nd Intervention Division headquarters in Banteay Srei District, Siem Reap. Upon completion, he was stationed back in Ampil Commune with the 231st Intervention Platoon.

Commander Pem Phum remembers Tola as a diligent young soldier who strictly followed military discipline. Beyond his official duties, Tola was active in agricultural production and social work. Whenever he had free time, he would visit his parents and siblings in Po Thmei Village. His close friends, Visal and Virak (who is also his cousin), described Tola as an honest and helpful person who treated his fellow soldiers like blood brothers.

Deployment to the Border

Following an incident where Thai forces fired upon Cambodian bunkers at Mom Bei in Preah Vihear province—resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier—the 231st Intervention Platoon was deployed to the Cambodia-Thailand border. While stationed along the border, Tola, Visal, and Virak were assigned to different locations. Tola was stationed at the left wing of the Ta Moan Temple sector, while Visal and Virak were at the right wing. Despite the distance, they kept in touch via phone. Due to his responsibilities in logistics and the distribution of rations every two days, Tola was rarely able to visit home, even during periods of relative calm.

Chhaun Tola

The Final Battle

The conflict escalated with a second wave of hostilities on December 7, 2025. The Ta Moan Temple area became a focal point of heavy fire from Thai forces. On the night of December 13, 2025, during a brief lull in the fighting, Tola called his mother back after missing several of her calls. During the conversation, a Thai drone approached. Tola told his mother: "Mom, that’s all for now. I see a Thai drone flying nearby; I need to get into the bunker." As he ran for cover, the drone dropped a bomb directly onto the bunker. Chhaun Tola was killed instantly.

Due to the intense military situation, his body could not be recovered until 2:00 PM the following day, December 14. His fellow soldiers eventually transported him to his relatives' home in Daun Sva Village, Angkor Chum District, Siem Reap, to perform traditional Khmer funeral rites. At that time, his parents' home in Banteay Ampil had been evacuated due to the conflict.

Legacy

A grand 100-day memorial service was held on March 7, 2026, attended by many friends and relatives. The loss of Chhaun Tola is the loss of a patriotic son of Cambodia who dared to sacrifice everything for his nation. To his parents, he was a beloved, virtuous son lost to the invasion of Cambodian territory. The name of Heroic Soldier Chhaun Tola will be remembered by the Cambodian people forever.