An increasing number of residents along the Thailand–Cambodia border are seeking refuge in government-run shelters as fresh violence in the renewed conflict forces evacuations.
Less than two months after Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint peace declaration, border clashes erupted again on December 7. Artillery fire was reported in several areas, prompting residents in multiple provinces to evacuate. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attacks and confirmed casualties.
As of Saturday morning, more than 260,000 Thai civilians had taken shelter in evacuation camps, with seven civilian deaths confirmed.
Located more than 50 kilometers from the Thailand–Cambodia border, the largest temporary shelter in Thailand's Buriram Province has received around 10,000 evacuees.
Conditions inside the shelter were calm, with military personnel deployed at key areas to patrol and maintain security. At supply distribution points, loudspeaker announcements informed residents when to collect drinking water, food and other basic necessities.
Piya Pijnam, governor of Buriram, said most residents from areas directly affected by the clashes had been evacuated, with the cumulative total estimated at between 40,000 and 50,000.
"This center has experience hosting evacuees from the initial clashes on July 24. It can accommodate tens of thousands of people and provides toilets, accommodation, three meals a day and medical services. It is far enough from the border that Cambodian artillery shells cannot reach it, ensuring safety, with sufficient personnel and facilities in place," he said.
Six relatively independent residential zones had been established, and many evacuees were seen resting inside or outside their tents. Medical stations and consultation centers were also set up, with staff registering needs and coordinating the replenishment of supplies.
Those who fled their homes said they were eager to return as soon as possible.
"Our family of five is staying together at this shelter. The food and living conditions here are quite good. We really want to go home. Even though it's comfortable here, we're worried about our house, our cattle and livestock, our pets, and the vegetables in our garden," said one evacuee.
More residents flee to shelters as fighting flares along Thailand–Cambodia border
A civil group in Japan held a study session on Saturday to tell the historical truth about the Nanjing Massacre and called on the Japanese government and society to reflect on history and avoid repeating the tragedy of war of aggression.
Saturday marks China's 12th National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre which took place when Japanese troops occupied the then-Chinese capital on Dec 13, 1937, killing approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII over the course of six weeks.
"Japan's army committed a brutal atrocity -- the Nanjing Massacre 88 years ago in 1937. Today, on this important day, let us observe a moment of silence for 30 seconds for the victims," said an organizer of the study session.
This study session was led by Jomaru Yoichi, a former journalist with the Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese daily newspaper. Yoichi compiled numerous articles published in Japanese newspapers after the Nanjing Massacre. Among them, an article published on December 24, 1937 detailed the atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army in China.
"Around 08:00, about 400-500 defeated Chinese soldiers fled. The Japanese soldiers drove them into houses and bamboo groves, setting fires on all sides. Many of them were driven out by thick smokes. The Japanese soldiers killed them one by one with rifles and bayonets. The Japanese soldiers lost track of how many they had stabbed and killed all of them by 16:00," Yoichi recounted.
Many Japanese citizens said the Japanese government and society must confront the truth of history, and it's important to disseminate accurate historical information in contemporary Japan.
"The Nanjing Massacre is a real incident. The remarks that 'The Nanjing Massacre didn't exist' or 'The Japanese army was powerful and righteous' ignore historical evidence and deny the facts outright. I believe these are all attempts to hide the truth of history. I think these are all wrong. Facts are facts, and we must face history squarely," said a participant at the study session.
"I used to teach history in high school. In 1988, I spent two weeks in China and visited for the first time the site documenting the war crimes of the invading Japanese army. On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the social atmosphere in Japan is gradually becoming strange. We must seriously examine Japan's past history, and disseminating accurate history has become even more important," said another participant.
Some expressed their concern that the Japanese government's historical revisionism, its attempt to cover up the truth of history, and its path towards military expansion will prevent Japan from facing the future.
"The fact that the Japanese army's war of aggression is not taught in social studies or history courses. I have no choice but to learn this myself even now at my age. The idea of upholding the pacifist constitution is becoming increasingly strong. Current Japanese politicians are pursuing a military expansion strategy, which I find incomprehensible," said another participant.
In 2014, China's top legislature designated December 13 as a national memorial day for the massacre victims.
Japanese civil group calls for remembrance of Nanjing Massacre victims
