Buriram: Elderly villagers in a border village in Buriram Province are preparing to evacuate following a shooting incident at Nong Ya Kaeo. Some residents are willing to send their children and grandchildren to safety while they remain behind to guard their homes, property, and pets.
According to Thai News Agency, reporters visited Ban Khok Sa Nong Thanon in Lahan Sai District, a village located on the Thai-Cambodian border that experienced bombings during fighting in late July. Residents are packing necessities such as clothes and medicine, preparing to relocate to their relatives’ homes, as uncertainty looms after the recent border clash in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo.
Ms. Parichat, a local villager, expressed her readiness to evacuate immediately if the situation worsens and an official order is given. She recounted her experiences during previous conflicts when bombs fell near her home, leaving her terrified of loud noises. Although she does not wish for further conflict, she acknowledges that evacuation might be necessary to allow the military to address the ongoing tensions effectively.
A 76-year-old grandfather in the village shared his willingness to sacrifice his safety for his family, allowing them to evacuate while he stays behind to protect his property and pets. He expressed concern for his animals’ well-being, including dogs, cats, cattle, and buffalo, and also volunteered to care for other villagers’ pets.
At Ban Khok Rae School in Prasat Subdistrict, teachers and students have begun cleaning bomb shelters in anticipation of possible clashes. Meanwhile, in Ban Sai Tho 10 Tai, Sai Taku Subdistrict, villagers have constructed their own bomb shelter, resembling an underground refuge. They remain resolute in staying put during future incidents to safeguard their homes and livestock, despite the risks involved.
Residents urge the Thai military to take decisive action should the situation escalate, with some villagers having already harvested their rice crops in preparation.