Surin: Border impacts have left vendors in fresh markets near the border in Surin Province nearly bankrupt. They have no income, only expenses, including debts that must be paid on time. They are calling on the government to provide urgent assistance.
According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere in Surin Province this morning remains normal, but the income of fresh market vendors is in a different direction. They currently have no money to live on, nor any capital to start a business.
A Thai news team traveled to a district near the border and found it completely quiet. People had evacuated the area, and only officials remained. In some places, only starving dogs were found. They then continued their investigation to a fresh market near the border and found only a few shops open.
A fresh food vendor who has been selling food at this market for 23 years said that her daily income normally exceeds 100,000 baht, but during the border closure, she was down to just over 10,000 baht. When the clashes broke out, she fled to save herself, leaving behind all her investments. She suffered accumulated losses and was in the red, and had to repay her debts to the bank. She was in dire straits. While awaiting the results of the GBC meeting, she evacuated to a relative's house for safety. She travels to sell her wares every morning and quickly returns in the evening for safety.
Meanwhile, a fruit vendor who just returned to her shop on her first day after fleeing to Bangkok for her life has returned to clean up her mess and figure out how to survive. She has less than 1,000 baht left and still has debts to pay.
However, most market vendors expressed their desire for government assistance, citing the severe impact they have had. They have no income, only expenses and debt. They also urged them to implement measures to support border residents living in the area.
The situation in Surin Province this morning remains normal. The Governor of Surin Province traveled to the evacuation center to deliver supplies and offer encouragement to the people. Both government and private sector agencies in the area also participated in the visit.
The news team found residents, government officials, and business owners in Mueang Surin District displaying the Thai national flag on their homes and businesses, including in front of their houses, on utility poles, at the community hall, and even on personal motorcycles, at various locations throughout the city. The display of the Thai national flag began with the outbreak of border clashes, aiming to express patriotism and provide moral support to military personnel and all agencies currently on duty, as well as to offer encouragement to all Thais facing this crisis.