Thai - Cambodia Conflict Stench of Decomposing Cambodian Soldiers in Border Villages

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Residents living near the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin province are complaining of an overwhelming stench emanating from decomposing bodies of Cambodian soldiers left in the forest, making daily life and agricultural work nearly impossible.

 

The atmosphere in the normally busy border villages remains subdued, with local authorities officially still prohibiting displaced villagers from returning home due to heightened tensions in the area. Some residents have stayed behind and others have returned, to watch over their property and work their land.

 

Locals are now pinning their hopes on the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Thailand and Cambodia, scheduled for 4–6 August. They hope the talks will lead to a resolution and a swift return to normalcy.

 

Amid the tense standoff, villagers say they are experiencing a worsening humanitarian and environmental issue, the overpowering smell of rotting corpses left uncollected in the jungle. The bodies are believed to be those of Cambodian soldiers killed during recent clashes along the disputed border zone.

 

One resident, Mr. Pramuan Prahuprapai, 60, described how his children and grandchildren attempted to tap rubber trees in their plantation, located close to the frontier. “The stench was so strong they had to abandon the work. We’ve lived through similar problems before, particularly in 2011, but this time it’s far worse. It makes us think the number of Cambodian casualties could be many times higher than back then,” he said.

 

Villagers are expressing frustration and dismay that the Cambodian authorities have apparently made no effort to retrieve their fallen soldiers. “It’s deeply disturbing,” said Mr. Pramuan. “Why leave them in the forest like that? It’s not only disrespectful but also endangering public health.”

 

Locals are increasingly concerned not only about the psychological toll and disruption to their livelihoods, but also about the risk of disease. “We fear for our safety, and now we also fear an outbreak,” one resident said.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-08-04

 

 

 

 

[Henk Langeweg]

Worse then Thai 'food'?

 

[marin]

19 minutes ago, Henk Langeweg said:

Worse then Thai 'food'?

 

Comments like this are quite telling.

[Olav Seglem]

If thais dont allow cambodia collect or even inform them, why dont "nice" thailand have the decency to give them a funeral themselves ???

As "good buddists"....

Quite telling..

[ikke1959]

In another article here on the forum I read something the opposite as the Thai soldiers did nothing