Sa kaeo: The temporary markings at the border in Sa Kaeo Province continue to create uncertainty among local residents, who fear Cambodia will not join them in marking the border and that the situation will not end. Villagers want everything to end so they can finally go and earn a living.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wira Somkhamkit, President of the Anti-Corruption People’s Network, visited Ban Nong Ya Kaew to coordinate with officials. However, based on observations and assessments of the situation, he is unsure whether the Cambodian side will also join in setting up temporary markers. Regarding the clashes on November 12th, it is believed that Cambodia may have attempted to create a situation to avoid participating in the temporary pin-down process. Regarding his appointment as a civil society representative, the military has provided periodic updates. Tomorrow, he is ready to observe the area, including holding a meeting to survey the temporary pin-downs and entering the area for observation. However, he will require officials to assess the safety of entry. If the temporary pin-downs are successfully placed, the next step is for both countries to submit a report to their respective governments, which will then be reviewed.
Ms. Mani, a resident of Nong Ya Kaew village, whose 14 rai of land lies between boundary markers 42 and 43, told the news team that she is only half-confident that the temporary markings will actually be installed. She believes Cambodia may not participate in the markings, but if Cambodia does not participate, the process will not be finalized. She also expressed uncertainty about whether Cambodia might intervene to remove the markers later if Thailand unilaterally installs them. She also emphasized that prior to the temporary markings being installed, explosives should be defused for the safety of all parties.
Meanwhile, today, a citizen traveled from Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province, to prepare food for distribution to officials in Sa Kaeo Province. She purchased 1,000 catfish and other ingredients from a market in Aranyaprathet District, spending over 30,000 baht of her own money. She has previously distributed food to officials on several occasions, including a spicy beef offal soup, steamed mussels, grilled pork, grilled fish with miang, and this time, grilled catfish. She believes the food will help alleviate the fatigue of the work, to some extent. She has been following the news and the situation closely. Although she is not a citizen living on the front lines and does not receive any benefits, as a Thai, and this is Thailand, she wants to help support the officials in their mission. In the future, if permission is granted and the situation in the area is safe, she intends to travel to prepare food and distribute it again.
All this remains to be seen, with the temporary pinpoints being set tomorrow, to determine whether both sides can join together and move forward as expected. Currently, there are voices from villagers from both Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan expressing their desire for the situation to end quickly so they can finally earn a living.