@THAILAND
Border tensions rattle villagers close to Preah Vihear temple, though some have taken to cooking meals for the troops
Wassana Nanuam
 |
 |
 |
| A Thai national flag flutters at Pha Mor E-daeng cliff. The flag was relocated from the top of the Preah Vihear temple after the International Court of Justice's ruling favoured Cambodia in the temple dispute in 1962. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
Cambodian rangers smile while eating custard apples in the disputed area. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
A Thai border ranger takes supplies around Pha Mor E-daeng area, 600 metres away from the Preah Vihear temple. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
 |
 |
| A Buddhist monk at a border monastery in the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple bathes as armed border rangers roam his monastery. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
Thai rangers give local villagers weapons training for self-defence. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
 |
 |
| A Thai soldier gives his Cambodian counterpart a hug to show friendship despite the tensions between the two countries over the Preah Vihear temple. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
Some of the 400 pupils at Ban Phumsarol school in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district lie on the school lawn during a security drill as tensions mount on the Thai-Cambodian border near the controversial Preah Vihear temple. — KITJA APICHONROJAREJ |
 |
 |
| Officials rebuild an old bunker as they prepare for the worst in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
A cloth sign is erected to tell tourists about the temporary closure of the Preah Vihear entrance. It reads, "Attention, please! The Preah Vihear National Park is closed temporarily from now on". — KITJA APICHONROJAREJ |
Life for people in the border villages of Si Sa Ket has changed as nearly 3,000 Thai soldiers have taken up position since July 15 to confront a similar number of Cambodian troops in the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.
The villagers live in tambon Sao Thong Chai and tambon Phu Pha Mok of Kantharalak district. Their communities are just 6-8km away from the ancient ruins.
The change to their everyday routines started when a lengthy convoy of soldiers, weaponry and equipment began arriving.
Some people turned to become suppliers of food to the Thai soldiers.
 |
| Residents of Kantharalak in Si Sa Ket province block a road to the Preah Vihear temple to prevent the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) caravan holding a mass rally at the border. — JETJARAS NA RANONG |
They either buy food, or cook meals for soldiers at their camps.
Although local villagers recall falling artillery shells from across the border, and fleeing Cambodian soldiers and Cambodian bandits during the 1970s, their concerns today are different as they sense the tension between Thai and Cambodian troops who are on full alert to fight over the disputed land.
Some parents are keeping their children home from school while others pick up their offspring early every day as they expect the two sides to clash at any time.
Male villagers are training in weapons use. Old bunkers used for shelter during the Cambodian civil war 30 years ago ago have been rebuilt.
Everyday routines for villagers end with prayers for both nations to avoid hostilities and to take care of the Preah Vihear temple and the disputed area jointly, just as they did before.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Next
