In the region of Surin, the intensifying conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border shows no signs of easing, leaving countless individuals in turmoil. As tensions mount, hundreds of thousands from both nations are seeking refuge in temporary shelters, grappling with the harsh realities of displacement.
On Wednesday, Associated Press reporters stationed on the Thai side of the border reported the ominous sounds of artillery fire, underscoring the severity of the ongoing conflict.
In Thailand, the situation has forced the evacuation of approximately 400,000 residents from the border regions, with military operations continuing in four provinces. As a result, around 700 schools have been closed, according to Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai military.
Meanwhile, Cambodia is also facing significant upheaval, having evacuated over 127,000 villagers and shuttered hundreds of schools, as stated by their defense ministry.
The human toll continues to climb on both sides. Thailand’s military has reported this week’s casualties include the tragic loss of five soldiers, with dozens more wounded. Across the border, Cambodia has acknowledged the deaths of seven civilians, alongside 20 individuals who have sustained injuries. However, these figures have yet to be updated as of Wednesday.
Cambodia said seven civilians died and 20 others were wounded, though it did not update those figures on Wednesday.
There is not yet a clear path to peace as Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to continue to fight and Cambodia’s powerful Senate President Hun Sen promised a fierce response.
A knock-on effect of the fighting and bad blood between the nations was Cambodia’s withdrawal of its entire team from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, which began Tuesday in Thailand. A Wednesday announcement from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia said it regretted the action but the families of competitors were concerned about their safety.
Trump says he will return sides to peace
The new, widespread fighting followed a skirmish Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump that ended armed combat in July.
The five days of fighting over territorial disputes left dozens dead on both sides and forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians. The ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges from the two nations unless they agreed.
Late Tuesday at a Pennsylvania political event, Trump said he would use his sway to end the renewed combat.
“Tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call,” Trump said. “Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war between two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia?’”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier called on the two sides to live up to the commitments made at an October meeting in Malaysia that reaffirmed the July ceasefire and called for removing heavy weapons from the border, coordinating removal of land mines and other steps.
Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Wednesady that had not yet been any contact with the United States on the matter. He added that Thailand will not likely accept if another third party proposes to mediate since “the line has been crossed.”
The ceasefire was fragile from the start as both nations carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor incidents of cross-border violence continued.
Thailand deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodia’s most fearsome weaons are BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of roughly 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles). They are capable of firing salvos of 40 rockets at a time and mounted on trucks, making them less vulnerable to attack.
A Thai army statement said Cambodia on Tuesday launched approcimately 125 salvos from BM-21 launchers totaling about 5,000 rockets and that some had hit civilian areas, though no casualties were reported.
Shelters provide safe haven but concerns remain
Away from the battlefronts, anxious evacuees are the most visible sign of the crisis.
In a gymnasium in the northeastern Thai city of Surin, around 550 people are waiting out the combat, many having hurriedly fled after the first shots were fired Sunday.
Officials have provided food and diversions for children. The cooler, winter temperatures have kept the situation in the shelter bearable, but there is inevitable boredom and concern about what they left behind including homes, valuables and animals.
Thidarat Homhual, a 37-year-old farmer in the shelter with her family, said her mind is on cows, ducks, four dogs and nine cats left to fend for themselves.
“We are behind the frontline. We can live like this. It’s OK,” she said. “But I want it to be over. I miss my pets. I really miss my pets, all the animals at home. I can’t really put it into words.”
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Sopheng Cheang in Srei Snam, Cambodia, Wasamon Audjarint in Bangkok and Matthew Lee and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
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