Khmer Times journalist Som Sotheary and photographer Heng Chivoan talk to vendors about their fear, anger, and hope for peace amid a ceasefire with Thailand. Seized territory must be restored so that displaced families can go home, they say.
Norng Neang, 68
I am afraid because I have lived through war before. I do not want it again; we had finally found happiness. When I hear news like this, I become fearful. Having lived through the Pol Pot era, I am now getting older and realise that if war breaks out, I cannot run away as the young people can. I only want peace. I do not want war because it brings no benefit, and we cannot live peacefully in our own homes. I only want peace; I do not want suffering.”
Khon Chenda, 19
I pity those who have been displaced by war. The wealthy are fine, but it is difficult for the poor. I want land to be provided for displaced people to live on, and I want them to be able to return to their homes once more. I feel for them; they lack so many necessities. I also have relatives who have been displaced and are now living in Kampong Speu. Thailand’s continued blockading of Khmer territory is incredibly cruel. I do not know what to do; the only option is to let the frontline forces help.”
Kem Pov, 55
I want our land back. Thailand invaded, and its actions are too cruel—destroying property, burning people’s houses, and seizing civilian land. I have stopped using Thai products since the first armed outbreak; I never use them now. My children have stopped using them as well. We choose Khmer products instead. I want all Cambodians to stop using products made by Thais who have been so heartless to us. I am deeply hurt. They came to shoot at us; how could we not be hurt?”
Toch Narin, 61
I want peace and happiness to return to my country. At the time of the first round of armed fighting, I was afraid and deeply hurt by the actions taken against us. Having previously lived through the war of the Lon Nol generation—when bombs were dropped on my house—and later the Pol Pot period, this brought back those old memories. I believe that placing container fences on Khmer land after a ceasefire is wrong; it is a cruel act we cannot accept. I want the international community to help secure justice for those displaced by war so they may have their land and houses back.”
Chhen Sinat, 35
I do not feel at peace; I pity our people, as well as the soldiers and frontline forces. I want the international community to help the Khmer people so that peace may return. Thailand’s action of placing containers on Khmer land during a ceasefire is a violation against us; it is illegal, yet we can do nothing but appeal for help. I pity the displaced people who have no land to live on and whose homes are gone. All of us are facing great difficulty.”
Khean Sreyny, 32
Of course, anyone who witnesses war feels pain; no one wants conflict. People want peace so that they can live together in happiness and harmony. Thailand’s action in placing containers on Khmer land after the ceasefire is wrong; despite the agreement, they continue to violate our territory. I want Thailand to remove the containers and barbed wire completely. I want our country to return to how it was before because our people are facing many hardships. While those of us living further away are less affected, those at the border are suffering. They have lost their homes and have been forced into displacement, which is incredibly difficult, especially for the elderly. I want the international community to help resolve this matter peacefully.”
- Tags: border conflict, National
