SURIN, THAILAND – Thai authorities ordered wide-ranging evacuations in several border provinces after clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.
Clashes near Kantharalak heighten tensions
On 7 December 2025, according to officials, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in the border area near Chong Phu Pham Lek in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province. Two Thai soldiers were injured, sharply worsening the already tense situation along the frontier.
Army directive covers four provinces
The 2nd Army Region subsequently issued an urgent letter to authorities in four border provinces: Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Buri Ram. Officials there were instructed to move residents of villages and districts near the border without delay into temporary evacuation centres to ensure their safety.
Surin focuses on ‘red zones’
In Surin province, the evacuations proceeded with particular intensity, targeting areas designated as “red zones” in the districts of Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng and Buachet. Only members of the village security forces (Chor Ror Bor) remained in the affected villages, under strict supervision, to maintain local security, while several emergency shelters were set up.
Families flee recurring violence
Wirat Hongthong from Tambon Tamiang in Phanom Dong Rak district said he reacted immediately to warnings from local leaders.
“When the village headman and the local administration called on us to evacuate, we immediately packed our belongings, loaded them onto the back of the pick-up, and the whole family – five people – drove to the evacuation centre in Surin town,”
said Wirat Hongthong, resident.
He described this as the third time his family had been forced to flee because of the border situation.
“I hope that this situation finally comes to an end this time,”
said Wirat.
Traffic jams at Buachet fuel stations
In Buachet district, a rapid wave of departures began as soon as the official evacuation order was issued. Many residents first drove to fuel stations to fill their vehicles, and the high number of cars temporarily caused traffic jams as people prepared to continue to the evacuation centres designated by the authorities.
Cell broadcast alert and safety guidance
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) sent a cell-broadcast warning at 16:04 to people in the border regions. The message stated that there were armed confrontations in the border area near Kantharalak in Si Sa Ket, and called on residents of the districts of Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng, Sangkha and Buachet near the frontier to leave the border areas and move to temporary evacuation centres or officially designated safe zones.
Hotline and strict compliance urged
The alert advised residents to contact village headmen, local administrative organisations or district offices if needed and to follow the instructions of the competent authorities strictly. For further information, people were directed to call the 1784 hotline, with the DDPM stressing that all measures were aimed at protecting the civilian population.