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eNCA
5 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Thais and Cambodians refuse to quit homes on clash frontier
Under the drumbeat of artillery fire near Thailand's border with Cambodia, farmer Samuan Niratpai refuses to abandon his buffalo herd -- stubbornly risking his life to tend his livestock. "At 5:00am every day, I hear the loud bangs and booms. Then I run into the woods for cover," the 53-year-old told AFP in the village of Baan Bu An Nong in Surin province, just 40 kilometres from the fraught frontier. His family of five fled to the capital Bangkok on the first day of clashes on Thursday, but he remains behind with their flock of chickens, three dogs and 14 prized buffalo. "How could I leave these buffaloes?" he asked, his eyes brimming with emotion. "I'd be so worried about them. After the strikes I go and console them, telling them 'It's okay. We're together'." Thailand and Cambodia's clashes have entered their fourth day after a festering dispute over sacred temples ignited into cross-border combat being waged with jets, tanks and group troops. Peace talks between leaders are scheduled for Monday in Malaysia, the Thai government has said. In the meantime, at least 34 people have been killed on both sides, mostly civilians, and more than 200,000 have fled their homes along the 800-kilometre border -- a rural area patched with rubber and rice farms. But on both sides of the tree-clad ridge marking the boundary between the two countries there are many who refuse to evacuate. AFP | TANG CHHIN Sothy As nearby blasts shake Cambodian restauranteur Soeung Chhivling's eaterie she continues to prepare a beef dish, declining to abandon the kitchen where she cooks for troops and medics mobilised to fight Thailand. "I am also scared, but I want to cook so they have something to eat," said the 48-year-old, near a hospital where wounded civilians and troops are being treated. "I have no plan to evacuate unless jets drop a lot of bombs," she told AFP in Samraong city, just 20 kilometres from the Thai frontier, where most homes and shops are already deserted. - 'I'd rather die at home' - Back on the Thai side, Pranee Ra-ngabpai, a researcher on Thai-Cambodian border issues and a local resident, said many who have chosen to stay behind -- like her own father -- are men who hold traditional and stoic values. AFP | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA "He is still there in the house right now and refuses to leave," Pranee said. "There's this mindset: 'If I die, I'd rather die at home' or 'I can't leave my cows'." Baan Bu An Nong has been designated a "red zone" -- meaning it is high risk for air strikes, artillery barrages and even gun battles between ground troops. But village co-leader Keng Pitonam, 55, is also reluctant to depart. Loading grass onto his three-wheeled cart to feed his livestock, he is now responsible for dozens of neighbours' animals as well as their homes. "I have to stay -- it's my duty," Keng told AFP. "I'm not afraid. I can't abandon my responsibilities," he said. "If someone like me -- a leader -- leaves the village, what would that say? I have to be here to serve the community, no matter what happens." AFP | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA His local temple has become a makeshift donation and rescue hub, parked with ambulances inside its perimeter. "I have to stay -- to be a spiritual anchor for those who remain," said the abbot, declining to give his name. "Whatever happens, happens." Huddled in a bunker just 10 kilometres from the border, Sutian Phiewchan spoke to AFP by phone, pausing as his words were interrupted by the crackle of gunfire. He remained behind to fulfil his obligations as a volunteer for the local civil defence force, activated to protect the roughly 40 people still staying there. "Everyone here is afraid and losing sleep," the 49-year-old said. "We're doing this without pay. But it's about protecting the lives and property of the people in our village." By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee With Suy Se In Samraong
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Thailand- Cambodia clashes enter third day; ‘feels like escaping war zone' locals share harrowing details: 10 pts
Thailand and Cambodia's ongoing conflict escalated further with the two bordering nations pounding each other with heavy artillery fire for a third day on Saturday, causing the death toll to rise to 33, while leaving over 150,000 displaced from their homes spread across the frontier. Blasts tore through the skies on Saturday afternoon, as clashes broke out for the first time in the rival-locked nations' coastal regions, where they meet on the Gulf of Thailand. "It feels like I'm escaping a war zone," a 76-year-old farmer, Samlee Sornchai described the situation to AFP, while at a temple shelter for evacuees in the Thai town of Kanthararom, after abandoning his farm near the border. People who fled their homes near the border between Cambodia and Thailand, stay at a pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province on July 26, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day, as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to 33 and Phnom Penh called for an 'immediate ceasefire' (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) 3. Cambodia's defence ministry said 13 people have been confirmed killed in the fighting since Thursday, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. 4. Thai authorities reported that 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than it was in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. 5. Residents fleeing from their homes called for peace, stating that relations between the people of the two nations 'used to be good,' and that they 'were like siblings.' 6. "We are neighbours, we want to be friends," one 50-year-old told AFP at the temple shelter in Phumi Bak Thkav. 'But they are attacking us. We are fleeing homes because of them.' A woman who fled her home near the border between Cambodia and Thailand, sits on a hammock at a pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province on July 26, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day, as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to 33 and Phnom Penh called for an 'immediate ceasefire' (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) 7. Following a UN Security Council meeting in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. 'Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,' he told reporters. 8. On Friday, Thailand had declared 'martial law' in eight of its districts bordering Cambodia, after the two nations engaged in deadly clashes. 9. Prasat Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom, both Khmer-era Hindu temples about 95 miles apart, are two of the key sites where tensions flared on Thursday. 10. The previous most deadly clashes broke out between 2008 and 2011 – leaving at least 28 people dead.
Sinar Daily
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia amid disputes
Effective since June 23, 2025 (Monday), the measures include the suspension of all cross-border travel, trade and vehicle movement, except for essential humanitarian cases such as urgent medical care and educational needs. 24 Jun 2025 04:17pm Cambodian police officials stand next to the closed gate at Poipet International border checkpoint between Cambodia-Thailand, at Poipet town in Banteay Meanchey province on June 24, 2025. Thailand's army closed border crossings with Cambodia in six provinces on June 23 to all vehicles and foot passengers except students and people seeking medical treatment, as a territorial row between the neighbours rages. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) BANGKOK - Thailand has closed all border crossings in seven provinces and suspended cross-border movement of people, vehicles, and trade along the Thai-Cambodian border to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure public safety, amid an ongoing border dispute. In a statement, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) spokesperson, Major General Winthai Suvaree said the tightened border control measures are in line with government policy and directives from the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, aimed at combating transnational crimes, including call centre and hybrid scam operations. Thai Police personnel stand guard at the closed Ban Khlong Luek International Border Checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia, in Aranyaprathet district of Thailand's Sa Kaeo province on June 24, 2025. Thailand's army closed border crossings with Cambodia in six provinces on June 23 to all vehicles and foot passengers except students and people seeking medical treatment, as a territorial row between the neighbours rages. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) "Effective since June 23, 2025 (Monday), the measures include the suspension of all cross-border travel, trade and vehicle movement, except for essential humanitarian cases such as urgent medical care and educational needs. These cases will be considered by local military units. "These actions aim to address ongoing security tensions and have proven effective in disrupting call centre and hybrid scam operations that pose a threat to Thai citizens,' he said in a statement. According to Thai government data, Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817-kilometre frontier. The measures were initiated on June 7 and further tightened on June 23, covering key provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram, and Sa Kaeo. The Royal Thai Army reiterated its commitment to balancing national security priorities with humanitarian considerations to ensure the safety and welfare of all affected communities. On Sunday, Cambodia declared that it would cease importing fuel and gas from Thailand and issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand. Earlier this year, Thailand adopted similar measures against online scam operations in Myanmar. The crackdown included cutting electricity, internet, and gas supplies to border towns associated with the scams. - BERNAMA
