Thai-Cambodian War Fades, Thousands of Refugees Return Home

JAKARTA - Thousands of refugees began returning to their homes in eastern Thailand on Tuesday, December 30 following the imposition of a 72-hour ceasefire with Cambodia in the border region.

Citing OANA via Antara, Sa Kaeo Province reported a steady outflow from evacuation sites after the security situation improved.

Of the approximately 17,000 residents or 5,000 families who have been displaced in 40 evacuation centers, it is estimated that only 20 percent are still surviving.

Most of the refugees still in the camps are from areas inside the combat zone.

Residents from outside areas such as Aranyaprathet have generally returned home, while others are waiting for permission from the explosive ordnance disposal team.

Permission to return to high-risk areas is expected to be granted on Wednesday afternoon after the sterilization process is completed. Local authorities emphasized that the safety of residents remained the top priority in the repatriation phase.

The Burapha Task Force, which is responsible for security in the area, announced the lifting of the curfew in four border districts.

Although tensions have eased, the situation on the front line is still sensitive. In Ban Nong Chan, Thai soldiers waved the national flag on top of containers that were used as temporary border fences.

The move was seen as a symbolic assertion of Thai sovereignty, following unconfirmed reports of Cambodian troop movements near the disputed border region.