Border villagers wary of clashes. Families prepare to bolt for shelter.

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Border villagers wary of clashes

Families prepare to bolt for shelter.
Published: 30/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News  

Bon Thawikerd, a 79-year-old resident of Ban Kan Tuan village in Kap Choeng district, was in her family's shophouse packing bags yesterday afternoon in case they had to leave at a moment's notice.

Her younger, and stronger family members had been out since the morning in their paddy fields, rushing to plant rice seedlings.

Like the other families in this border community, the Thawikerds are preparing for a possible evacuation in case a new wave of border violence flares up. They are worried about a possible renewal of tensions along the border after Thailand's decision to withdraw from Unesco's World Heritage Convention.

The government walked out as it feared the body would approve Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

"We're hurrying here because we don't know when they'll fight again," said Waranya Thawikerd, 48, Mrs Bon's daughter-in-law, as she joined five neighbours in planting rice seedlings.

If they can finish before the authorities order them into shelters and away from any possible armed skirmishes, the rice can grow on its own in the fields.

But in the worst-case scenario, if they cannot finish planting, the remaining rice seedlings will be too old to plant when they eventually return home, meaning less income for the family this year.

"Actually, I don't ever want to run away again. Last time it was for 11 days. There was a lot of food [at the shelter] but I was not happy at all because it was not home," Mrs Waranya said.

Troops stationed along the 200km long Thai-Cambodian border are prepared to respond promptly to any Cambodian aggression, a military source said yesterday.

The soldiers have stepped up security checks at border areas, especially for people who want to enter the area of mostly farmland where fighting erupted previously. The Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom temples are now off-limits and heavily guarded by soldiers.

In April, a border clash broke out near these two temples in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district.

Soldiers have been telling villagers living in the border areas to prepare for a possible evacuation.

Suphap Wilai, a 32-year-old farmer also in Ban Kan Tuan, said her fears from the April clashes and evacuation had yet to subside. "Of course, we are getting ready to move, but it would be best if there isn't any new fighting," Mrs Suphap said. "People here are living in fear. We don't know when they will start shooting or if we will have to hide in bunkers or be evacuated."