'We are neighbours': fleeing Thais and Cambodians call for peace\” />

Border Tensions Escalate as Thailand and Cambodia Clash

Heavy artillery, jets, and armored units now bombard the contested 800‑km frontier, amplifying a long‑fought dispute that has fractured relations between two neighbors.

Evacuees Seek Refuge in Temple Hazards

• Over 170,000 civilians now shelter at Buddhist temple sites in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket and Cambodia’s Samraong.
• Local residents describe their cross‑border neighbors as “siblings” and “friends.”
• Both communities appeal for an immediate ceasefire amid relentless bombardment.

Human Toll Rises to 33, Mostly Civilians

Twenty‑five civilians and eight soldiers have died after three days of bilateral hostilities, making the clash the deadliest since 2011.

Thai Community Voices a Desire to Return to Peace

56‑year‑old Sai Boonrod, sheltering in a temple near Kanthararom, said:

“We were once like siblings. Now we hope conflict ceases so we can reunite as friends again.”

Cambodian Narratives Echo a Similar Call for Truce

At a temple shelter 150 km from Sai’s home, a 50‑year‑old resident wrote:

“We’re neighbors, yearning for friendship, yet we’re attacked. We flee homes because of the violence.”

Historical Context of Border Disputes

• Both countries claim ancient temple sites scattered along a shared frontier.
• Brief clashes between 2008–2011 left at least 28 dead, yet the current violence is unprecedented.
• Over 170,000 residents now seek refuge, while 170,000 evacuees remain displaced.

Community Calls for Quick Negotiations

85‑year‑old Suwan Promsri, a seasoned observer of border friction, remarked:

“I want governments to negotiate swiftly so that the elderly return home and the children resume schooling.”

International Pressure and Misinformation Amplify the Conflict

• Both sides accuse each other of undermining armistice efforts in a UN Security Council meeting.
• Social media fuels patriotic discourse and misinformation on both fronts.
• Under mounting online misinformation, communities now face heightened resentment.

Conclusion: A Prayer for Peace

As both Thais and Cambodians endure the fallout of a 3‑day siege, calls for normalization echo across the border. They urge national leaders to negotiate an immediate cessation of hostilities and restore daily life for families strained by recent violence.