Surin: The tense situation on the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin Province persisted throughout the morning, with sporadic sounds of clashes echoing in the area. The Chong Chom border market remains largely closed as residents and businesses respond to the unrest.
According to Thai News Agency, approximately 3,000 residents from 18 villages in Dan Subdistrict, Kap Choeng District have been displaced, finding refuge in five temporary shelters in Sangkha District, Surin Province. Others have sought accommodation with relatives or in local hotels and resorts. The community remains on edge after a bullet was discovered near a school situated just 10 kilometers from the border, where students were present at the time. Additionally, security concerns heightened when a security guard reported a suspicious individual believed to be a spy, taking photographs from a pickup truck. This incident led to a Cambodian man being questioned by Kab Choeng Police after he was seen photographing bomb shelters. Although he claimed to be sending the images to his sister, authorities remain skeptical.
The Chong Chom border market in Kab Choeng District is mostly shuttered due to the ongoing conflict. In local temples within the district, monks remain, particularly in areas equipped with bomb shelters. Around 100 monks have relocated to safer temples, though some refuse to leave due to concerns for the dogs they care for.
The region has been under siege by multiple BM-21 rocket attacks over the past two days, affecting areas such as Dan Subdistrict, Kabcheing Subdistrict, and Takhian Subdistrict, resulting in two fatalities. Shrapnel has also caused damage to homes in several locales.
As the conflict enters its third day, there are slight signs of de-escalation, with only minor sounds of clashes reported at Chong Chom. Meanwhile, Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Phanom Dong Rak District has remained quiet, with no reports of clashes.