Six weeks after a ceasefire ended fighting at the Thai-Cambodian border, thousands of displaced Cambodians still hope to return home, despite an election victory in Thailand by nationalists who want to wall off the disputed frontier.
In Banteay Meanchey province, Proeung Sopheap, 59, was visiting her abandoned home in the border village of Prey Chan for the first time since the December clashes to collect some personal belongings and cooking utensils.
“I don’t know what led to this fighting,” she said. “Like other Cambodians, I want peace, not war.”
In an election last week, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul romped to victory on a platform that includes building a wall at the border.
The worst fighting in more than a decade left the village of Prey Chan divided: Thai authorities say part of it is in Thailand, and have put up barbed wire fencing, reinforced with a barrier formed of metal shipping containers.
On the Thai side, authorities say all residents have been able to return home since fighting ended.
But on the Cambodian side, officials estimate that about 80% of land and homes in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey communes are now inaccessible, leaving more than 4,600 people living in temporary shelters.
Thailand said in a statement the installation of barriers “to enhance safety and security along the border” was “fully consistent” with the joint statement agreed by the two countries during the ceasefire on Dec 27.
The border clashes killed at least 149 people and displaced hundreds of thousands before Thailand and Cambodia agreed to the ceasefire. — Reuters
