FEELINGS HARDEN AMONG BORDER EVACUEES

 By The Nation

Published on February 9, 2011

 

Some 16,000 residents have been left in total disarray after the cross-border fighting erupted near Preah Vihear Temple over the weekend.

Si Sa Ket Governor Somsak Suwanjarit said yesterday that teams of local officials were patrolling the nearly-deserted border villages, but many locals have complained that their homes were looted and some have lost possessions of great sentimental value.

"For more than 50 years, I have cherished a silver bowl that my husband gave me as part of my dowry. Now, someone took it away," Chaweewan Boonsaner, 70, said as she was sitting in an evacuation centre.

The silver bowl had meant the most to her because her husband had already passed away and the couple had no children.

She hoped police could recover her precious object of affection. She said her house was broken into and all valuable belongings like silk and kitchen utensils were gone.

"But what I want back most is the silver bowl," she said.

Chaweewan is one of more than 2,000 residents of Ban Phum Saron in Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district who fled from their hometown out of fear for their lives as artillery shells rained down around them.

Sutien Mathong, 58, said the border clashes had put locals in a tight spot because they did not know what would happen next.

"Please help. We are suffering," said Sutien, who is from Ban Son Sawang of Kanthararak district.

So far 50 schools in the district have closed. Surveys show the flare-up has destroyed at least seven houses and damaged 10 others.

Surachai Khan-asa, director-general of the Community Development Department, said short vocational courses would be offered at the evacuation centres so people could pick up some job skills during their free time.

"For example, we may provide massage classes," he said.

At a temporary shelter in front of Kanthararak District Office, relief kits from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn were handed out to the refugees.

 

Help from various authorities also flowed in.

 

In Surin, another border province, 5,543 people were relocated for safety reasons, while 76 foxholes and 68 bunkers have been prepared in the four border districts.

Fonte - The Nation - Bangkok