Local people sheltering at temporary resettlement sites on both sides of the Cambodian and Thai border have expressed their desire to return home and hope for lasting peace after a ceasefire came into effect following days of deadly military clashes.
An exchange of gunfire between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border areas broke out last Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of instigating gunfire and violating international law.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to implement an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" starting midnight on Monday, after their talks in Malaysia, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Since the clashes erupted, more than 30 people have been killed across both sides, while over 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas.
At a temporary resettlement site in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, located less than 50 kilometers from the border, over 500 evacuees are taking shelter.
The settlement has been set up at an unfinished construction site, with no doors or windows in the buildings, meaning the evacuees are forced to sleep in hammocks or on the ground outside, with inadequate access to food, clean water, electricity or medical care.
Many of these evacuees have been living in the temporary shelter since the onset of the conflict, and all share the hope that a full resolution can be found to allow them to return home as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, at a temporary resettlement site in Thailand's Surin province, which is currently accommodating approximately 10,000 evacuees, people are also hoping things can quickly get back to normal.
Supplies of food, drinking water and other daily necessities have arrived from the government and donors, and while their basic needs are being met, many are praying for the opportunity to return home soon.
Both Thai officials and civilians have expressed their wish for a lasting ceasefire, given the huge impact the conflict has had on ordinary people living along the border.
"The people of Surin don't want this conflict to continue. When it occurs, the loss and destruction primarily affect the people living along the border. They suffer most. Negotiations are good, but we will have to see whether the ceasefire will hold," said Chamnan Chuenta, the Governor of Surin.
"[In] the past few days, I haven't been able to eat because I've been so stressed. The fear gave me migraines. But today, I felt better after hearing that there have been negotiations," said Pannyuwa Kobkaew, a local villager in Surin.
Evacuees on both sides of Cambodian-Thai conflict express hope for lasting peace after ceasefire
Evacuees on both sides of Cambodian-Thai conflict express hope for lasting peace after ceasefire
