Fresh clashes erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border early Saturday, sending residents scrambling for safety as explosions and gunfire echoed near Surin Province. Villagers reported taking refuge in overcrowded bunkers, with one resident describing sheltering with over 30 people for four days and nights. Many families have abandoned their homes, seeking temporary safety in schools and temples converted into emergency shelters.
The violence has effectively sealed off the border, disrupting critical supply routes and leaving thousands without access to food and medicine. Aid organizations warn that prolonged instability is hampering relief efforts, raising concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis in the region.
"We heard explosions all night. No one dares to go outside," a villager told CGTN, highlighting the pervasive fear among communities caught in the crossfire.
The clashes underscore ongoing tensions in Southeast Asia's border regions, where territorial disputes periodically escalate into violence. Analysts stress the need for dialogue to prevent further displacement and economic disruption.
