Bangkok: Scammers are extorting money from migrants who defy the mandatory return home order. On the 13th day of fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border, the second round of clashes near Preah Vihear Mountain continued this morning, with sporadic clashes still heard. Meanwhile, the Kantaralak district authorities issued a warning about scammers posing as police officers and extorting money from villagers in red zones. Those who disobeyed official orders were urged to return home.
According to Thai News Agency, people from border villages are registering at security checkpoints on the Kantaralak-Khao Phra Viharn road in Kantaralak district, Sisaket province, in order to return home to oversee security and re-enter temporary shelters. On average, more than 100 families are returning daily. Officials are requesting that they complete the process by 3 PM. In addition, security checkpoints are also set up on secondary roads that allow bypasses red zone areas in Saothongchai, Phu Pha Mok, and Bueng Malu subdistricts. These checkpoints on secondary roads do not require registration like the main road checkpoints; they only screen and warn people to strictly comply with government requests.
Reports indicate that criminals are taking advantage of the fact that authorities are enforcing the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, prosecuting those who refuse to evacuate or who have evacuated but return to the area prematurely. They are impersonating police officers and extorting 2,000 baht each from two villagers in a red zone. The Kantaralak district authorities have therefore issued a warning to all sub-districts that government officials do not behave in such a manner, urging people not to be deceived and not to allow these criminals to further exacerbate the suffering of the villagers.
The sounds of heavy gunfire resumed frequently between 8 PM and 10 PM last night before subsiding. Sporadic clashes began again this morning in the areas of Phu Phi, Sam Tae, and Chong Ta Tao, west of Preah Vihear Temple.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in many villages is beginning to liven up after being quiet during the evacuation to temporary shelters. This village is in Krachang Subdistrict. Although it is in an orange zone and the district still prohibits evacuation back, villagers have been gradually returning home over the past three days. They need to go out to work to earn money to support their families, cover daily expenses, and pay off debts.
In many areas, officials are allowing some leniency, but in two areas, the military has strictly prohibited people from returning home: Saothongchai Subdistrict and Phu Pha Mok, which are areas affected by gunfire.