Border Truce Unsettles Thais, Cambodians Amid Ongoing Fears

Following a recent truce that ended weeks of violent clashes, many Thais and Cambodians remain hesitant to return home. The ceasefire, announced on December 28, 2023, has brought temporary relief but has not completely alleviated concerns about ongoing violence along the border.

Reluctance to Return

At a university in Surin, Thailand, which has been converted into a shelter for displaced individuals, Kanlaya Somjettana expressed her uncertainty about going home. Despite the ceasefire, she fears that the violence may not be fully over. While some evacuees began returning on the first day of the ceasefire, many others are waiting for official confirmation of safety.

“I really hope this ceasefire will last long and we can return home,” Kanlaya, a 21-year-old homemaker, told reporters. “But I will not go back home as long as authorities do not confirm that it is safe.” Although the evacuation center has become less crowded, hundreds of people remain there, hesitant to leave.

On the Cambodian side, So Choeun, who is expecting to give birth soon, shared her own fears. She is currently living with family in makeshift tents at a Buddhist pagoda in Banteay Meanchey. “Despite the ceasefire, we dare not return home yet. We are still frightened,” she stated, emphasizing the need to monitor the situation for a few more days.

Impact of the Truce

Officials from both countries confirmed that the ceasefire was holding, yet no all-clear notices have been issued. The truce follows a series of renewed hostilities that resulted in at least 47 deaths and displaced over 1 million individuals across the border. Earlier conflicts, including a five-day clash in July, had also ended in a shaky truce that was subsequently violated.

Saichon Wongpitak, a rice and cassava farmer, decided to return to her home in Thailand’s Sisaket province on the afternoon of the ceasefire announcement. “I talked to our neighbour who said there was no gunfire since yesterday,” she noted. However, she remains cautious, stating, “We have fear… but we have jobs to do at home, we have cattle at home, we have our farm.”

While Saichon is hopeful about the truce, she does not expect it to hold for long. “I live on the border and what I have learned is not to trust Cambodia,” she added. The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for both countries to cease military action, halt troop movements, and allow civilians to return home. Additionally, Thailand is set to return 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the July conflict within 72 hours.

For many, including Kot Ngik, a resident from another camp in Banteay Meanchey, the truce brings a glimmer of hope for a return to normalcy. “I am thankful for the truce since it may allow children to soon return to school,” she said. Yet, her trust in the Thai military remains low. “At this point, we are not sure about the situation. They can fight again at any time.”

The cautious optimism felt by some is tempered by the fear that the situation could escalate again. As So Choeun remarked, “Yesterday morning, I could hear loud bangs, but I have not heard it since 12pm yesterday. This is a good sign.”