The recent conflicts along the Thai–Cambodian border have affected communities in all seven of Thailand’s border provinces, home to more than 520,000 people. Over 320,000 community members were forced to evacuate to temporary shelters. Among them was the family of Noknoi from Sa Kaeo Province, who was directly impacted by the unrest.
A warning no one expected to lead to an incident
เOn the morning of 8 January 2026, villagers received an emergency alert on their mobile phones instructing them to evacuate before 10 am. Noknoi recalled that everything still seemed calm at first. There had been no signs indicating that the situation would escalate—especially in Sa Kaeo, which had always been peaceful.
“At first, we didn’t think much of it. We never imagined things would get worse. Our province has always been quiet… People continued doing their chores and living as usual. We didn’t think we would have to run.”
Even after the community leader told everyone to go into the bunkers for safety, she still believed the situation would not turn serious. But by early afternoon, explosions began to echo continuously.
“We kept hearing loud explosions again and again. My heart was pounding. I rushed to take the children and elderly people into the bunker immediately.”
The sound of explosions continued until evening. Once the situation appeared to calm, officials came to transport villagers to temporary shelters.
BM-21 rockets from across the border—and the image that nearly made her heart stop
After leaving the temporary shelter where they stayed for one day, the family moved to stay with relatives in Tha Kasem District. On 22 January 2026, Noknoi received a photograph from the village headman: her house had been destroyed by a blast. Two days earlier, the family had actually considered returning home, but the relatives advised them to wait a little longer.
“The village headman sent us a photo of our house after the explosion. I still get goosebumps talking about it. I was shocked… I never thought it could happen. I nearly burst into tears. Our house was destroyed.”
A BM-21 rocket fired from the Cambodian military landed directly on her house. The explosion caused such severe damage that the wooden house could no longer be lived in.
She said that had the family still been in the village that day, they might never have made it to safety.
“I never thought it would land on our house. If we had stayed, I don’t know what would have happened to the six of us. Thankfully, we had all evacuated.”
ชีวิLife after the incident: homeless, living in a small hut by the cattle pen
When the situation temporarily settled, the family intended to return home. But with the house severely damaged by the BM-21 rocket, they could not live there until government-funded repairs were approved and carried out. In the meantime, they had no choice but to stay in a small hut used for watching over their cattle.
“We’re all staying at the cattle pen now—all six of us. We have to live in the tiny hut we used to use to look after the cows… It’s not comfortable like home, but we have no other choice.”
At night, they often hear noises from the Cambodian side—forest fires and sounds resembling explosions—keeping them on edge and unable to sleep soundly.
Livelihoods disrupted—yet responsibilities they cannot abandon
Their home was gone, and their lives were upended, but their work could not stop. The family owns ten cows, provided through the Koban Burapha (Eastern Cowboys) Project, which are their primary source of income. “We can’t abandon the cows. They’re our livelihood… My husband has to stay and look after them every day, even with occasional explosion sounds.”
Aside from raising cattle, Noknoi also has a rice farm and sells beverages at a local school to support her family—all of which have been disrupted by the sudden displacement.
Support that became a source of strength in uncertain times
Following the incident, World Vision Thailand, together with partner organisations—including Plan International Thailand and UNICEF Thailand—provided humanitarian assistance. Support included Child-Friendly Spaces at temporary shelters, psychosocial support, learning and child protection activities, as well as basic relief items and cash support for affected families.
Noknoi’s family received initial assistance, including educational support for her children and essential relief supplies. Staff also continued to check on the family to provide ongoing support.
“I’m grateful that people came to help… It made us feel less alone. Some kind people care about us during the hardest times,” she said.
Lessons learnt and the strength needed to move forward
This experience has changed how Noknoi views emergency preparedness.
“If there’s ever another warning, I won’t take it lightly again… I’ve now prepared clothes, medicines, and important documents, so we can evacuate quickly if something happens.”
Though their home is damaged, their lives disrupted, and the fear still lingers, the family continues to endure with hope that one day, they will return to a safe home again.
