When the first explosions echoed, residents near the Thai-Cambodia border knew what was happening and quickly sought refuge. Chhan Rorn Yon, a 45-year-old farmer in Sa Em village, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, said he heard numerous explosions around 9 a.m. today. Yon's home is about 10 km north of where the border clash began.
"At that moment, I was terrified that the bombs would kill us. I saw everyone running for their lives. I was worried about the safety of all my children and relatives, as well as the soldiers who were fighting," he recalled.
Yon said many neighbors sought shelter at a nearby temple, but he decided to stay in the village. "I'm worried about my own safety, but I can't leave my home," he said.
Noun Hean, a 40-year-old tuk-tuk driver in Preah Vihear province, said the fighting was ongoing. "The villages are very quiet, everyone has fled. I've transported people to another location, about 100 km away, to a safer place. I'm afraid of the bombs and gunfire," he said.
In Surin province, Thailand, Komsan Jaipeng heard loud explosions as he prepared to open the motorcycle shop where he works. Jaipeng's boss urged employees to evacuate. "I told my wife that we wouldn't be coming home tonight, we'd stay at the shelter for at least one night. Our house is only about 7-8 km from the border," he said.
Jaipeng had prepared a bag of personal belongings, including clothes and a phone charger, a month ago in anticipation of this scenario. "We have a chat group set up by the village head to share news. They instructed us where to go if fighting broke out. That's why I always carry my small bag with me every day. I've never been in this situation before, I hope it ends quickly," he said.
Images released by Thai state media show a crowd, mostly elderly people and children, taking shelter under what appears to be a concrete bunker in Surin province.
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Thai people at a shelter in Surin province, Thailand, on 24/7. Photo: AP |
The Thai government downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia on 23/7 after accusing its neighbor of planting landmines in the disputed area that injured a Thai soldier. Cambodia responded by lowering diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level and recalling all its diplomatic staff from Bangkok.
Tensions escalated early today when troops from both sides exchanged fire at the border, each accusing the other of initiating the attack and claiming self-defense.
The fighting intensified as Cambodian and Thai forces deployed heavy weapons. Thailand accused Cambodia of firing artillery into residential areas, killing 12 people, and deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike military targets across the border in retaliation. Cambodia has not yet released casualty figures from the fighting.
