Despite ongoing hostilities along the Thai-Cambodian border, some locals in Thailand's Buriram province are already returning home to maintain their livelihoods.
Since a new round of fighting erupted on December 7 along the Thai-Cambodian border, over 700,000 people have fled their homes, with agriculture halted and livelihoods at risk.
In farmland just miles from the Thai-Cambodian border, the normally thriving fields of sugarcane, rubber, and rice now lie abandoned amid the aftermath of renewed clashes between the two countries. Yet, signs of cautious return are visible.
Forced to flee when conflict broke out, many families from Buriram's border villages found temporary shelter in evacuation camps. December is typically a busy harvest season in the area.
"We grow rubber trees, and this was the best tapping season. But now we can't do it because of the fighting. The rubber's dried out. Even though conditions at the shelter are good, when I get back home, I know there won't be any income this year. I'll have to wait for next year," said one evacuee at a local shelter.
Another displaced resident worried about recently planted crops.
"We grow crops and sugarcane. On December 5, we just planted sugarcane, and then two days later, the fighting started," she said. Asked whether anyone had returned, she replied, "My husband already went back. It's dangerous for sure." She added that they didn't have a choice, as it was their only livelihood.
Taweewat Sae-Tang, an official of Khok Ma subdistrict in Buriram, confirmed fewer people are now staying in shelters.
"On December 8 and 9, we had about 2,700 people at this shelter. But now things have calmed somewhat, and we're down to 600 or 700 people. They're very worried about their property at home, houses, cows, buffaloes, rubber plantations, sugarcane fields, and pigs. Many people are eager to return," he said.
While anxious farmers are returning home, both Thai and Cambodian governments confirmed on Saturday that armed skirmishes have not ceased.
Displaced Thai farmers anxious to return home despite continued border clashes with Cambodia
Displaced Thai farmers anxious to return home despite continued border clashes with Cambodia
