Cambodia evacuates nearly 5,000 to safety in Oddar Meanchey province

Approximately 5,000 citizens from the border areas of Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, have been evacuated to safe locations as clashes along the border continue, Report informs via The Phnom Penh Post.

They are currently receiving support from the provincial administration and relevant authorities.

Meth Meas Pheakdey, spokesperson for the provincial administration, stated that nearly 5,000 people from around 1,500 families were evacuated from high-risk areas from 12 villages along the border in Banteay Ampil district.

Meas Phakdey said some residents sought refuge with relatives in safer areas, while others were relocated to designated safe zones arranged by the authorities, such as areas within the district that are far from the front line, or Anlong Veng or Chong Kal district.

“We have prepared suitable infrastructure and assigned them to the villages and communes we prearranged. They are equipped with tents for shelter day and night, electricity, clean water systems, bathrooms and medical teams,” he explained.

He added that in cases of serious illness, ambulances are available to transport people to hospitals.

According to Meas Phakdey, the sound of gunfire from the ongoing clashes continues to be heard. He said it began around 9 a.m. (GMT+7) and was initiated by the Thai side in the areas of the Ta Mone Thom and Ta Krabey temples, as well as the Thma Don checkpoint.

10:23

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has broken out in at least six locations, prompting the Thai military to close all border checkpoints, a Thai military official said on Thursday, Report informs via Reuters.

Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri reported that Cambodia had deployed drones and troops early Thursday, with soldiers armed with rocket-propelled grenades.

According to him, Cambodian forces opened fire on Thai troops, forcing them to retaliate.