MALARIA is plaguing RCAF soldiers stationed along the border at Ta Krabey temple, a military commander said Tuesday, adding that 60 percent of his troops had become ill in the last month.

"The number has increased sharply in this short period because there is more rain and more mosquitoes," said the commander who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press.  

Previously, only around 5 percent of soldiers stationed in the area were sick with malaria, he said.

Sao Socheat, deputy commander of Military Region 4, says the soldiers stationed in the thick forests are getting sick right now.