SA KAEO, Thailand, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- In the early hours of a typical morning at the border village of Sa Kaeo, Thailand, one would expect a symphony of rooster crows, birds chirping, and the hum of motorcycle engines. However, a different sound dominates the air -- distant blasts of artillery and gunfire weave a tense backdrop, keeping residents on high alert as they prepare to take refuge at any moment.
The new wave of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has entered its third week. Along the more than 800-km border, military skirmishes erupt almost daily, creating a tug-of-war at multiple points and affecting seven border provinces in Thailand. Over 800,000 residents find their daily lives disrupted, with at least 60 soldiers and civilians confirmed dead.
Recent days have seen a significant escalation in Sa Kaeo. The Thai military issued a statement on Sunday urging residents of districts including Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew to temporarily seek shelter in government-established evacuation centers until the situation stabilizes.
At a school about 60 km from the border, the government has transformed the campus into a makeshift shelter. Evacuated residents now sleep in tents, lining up in the hallways for food and essential supplies. Medical personnel offer basic healthcare services, while military officials patrol the surroundings to ensure safety.
Soponvit, a staff member at the shelter, shared that since its opening on Dec. 8, the center has accommodated around 800 individuals. "Conditions are far from ideal, but at least it's safe," he said.
Han Jimsai, a local resident from Ta Phraya County, recounted the harrowing evacuation day: "The gunfire was particularly intense. I hid in a makeshift shelter, hearing shots and seeing flashes of fire until late into the night." He expressed hope for a swift resolution, ideally through peaceful negotiations.
Similarly, Warangrat, also from Ta Phraya, has spent some time at the shelter. While she appreciates the safety, she knows this can't be a long-term solution. "We all need to earn a living. I used to manage a small business, but now there's no income. My oldest grandchild is unable to attend school, so he can only take online classes, and the youngest still needs formula, but I can't afford it -- that's the hardest part," she said.
Not everyone can leave their homes behind. Some elderly or disabled residents choose to stay. Seventy-seven-year-old Samon remains in Ban Nong Ya Kaew with her son. "Whenever we hear gunfire, we rush to the shelter I've constructed in the yard," she said.
In recent months, some Ban Nong Ya Kaew villagers have fortified their homes with makeshift shelters made from concrete pipes and sandbags, a necessity hardened by the ongoing conflict since the first wave of hostilities erupted in July.
Local volunteer Somphon oversees a small group of villagers who chose to remain. He remarked that the sound of gunfire has become a part of daily life, with residents now trained to discern whether the artillery fire is "fired outward" or "coming in," deciding only then whether to take cover. Yet he lamented, "This conflict has dragged on far too long. We can't work to survive, and I'm running out of money for basic necessities."
The Thai military reported on Tuesday that Cambodian forces had fired multiple BM-21 rocket artillery rounds into a Sa Kaeo residential area the previous afternoon, injuring seven civilians. Among the casualties was Phasinee, who opted to stay behind to help as a volunteer in her community. The day of the incident, she was distributing food to villagers sheltering in their makeshift hideouts when an explosion struck nearby, leaving her arms temporarily numb and requiring emergency transport to a hospital.
On Monday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to resume ceasefire talks at a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, but the timeline for a genuine ceasefire remains unclear.
Currently, the conflict has escalated beyond military action to a multi-faceted rivalry of information and diplomatic maneuvering at the government level, with the ceasefire process hampered by various factors.
For border villagers, however, their wish is simple: to return to their normal lives and reclaim the long-lost peace. ■