As artillery fire roared, thousands fled their homes in Thailand’s northeastern Surin province, seeking refuge in temporary shelters set up in the city center.
Nearly 3,000 people squeezed onto rows of plastic mats, scattered with colorful blankets and hastily packed personal belongings, inside the gymnasium of Surindra Rajabhat University.
“I worry about our home, our livestock, and the crops we’ve worked so hard to plant,” said 37-year-old Teedala to AFP.
She fled with nine other family members, including her 87-year-old grandmother who had just been discharged from the hospital.
“The worry is always there. But it does feel safer here, because we’re now further from the danger zone. At least we are safe.”
Teedarat was at a local school looking after a teacher’s child when she suddenly heard what sounded like “machine-gun fire,” followed by the heavy roar of artillery.
“It was chaos. The children were terrified. I rushed into the school’s shelter.”
In the shelter, evacuees slept side by side under the high roof of the gymnasium, surrounded by the whir of electric fans and uneasy whispers.
Ill evacuees left medicine behind
Saisamornlap, chief of staff at the university president’s office, said this was the institution’s first time fully operating a shelter.
Classes were suddenly cancelled, and in less than an hour, the campus was transformed into a fully functioning evacuation center. Thousands of evacuees were accommodated at six locations on campus.
Saisamornlap said: “Most of them left in a hurry. Some people have chronic illnesses but did not bring their medicine, others only brought a few belongings.”
Hope the government takes decisive action
Recalling the 2011 conflict, Teedala said this time is more serious. “It wasn’t this bad back then. People’s homes weren’t so severely damaged, and there were no reports of civilian casualties… This year is worse; the casualties are shocking.”
With the conflict ongoing, there is still no clear timetable for when residents can return home.
Teedala said: “I hope the government takes decisive action… Civilians look up to the government for protection, and we deeply depend on them.”