Homes of displaced residents 'looted'

By The Nation

Some 16,000 residents have been left in total disarray after the cross-border fighting erupted near Preah Vihear Temple over the weekend.

Si Sa Ket Governor Somsak Suwanjarit said yesterday that teams of local officials were patrolling the nearly-deserted border villages, but many locals have complained that their homes were looted and some have lost possessions of great sentimental value.

"For more than 50 years, I have cherished a silver bowl that my husband gave me as part of my dowry. Now, someone took it away," Chaweewan Boonsaner, 70, said as she was sitting in an evacuation centre.

The silver bowl had meant the most to her because her husband had already passed away and the couple had no children.

She hoped police could recover her precious object of affection. She said her house was broken into and all valuable belongings like silk and kitchen utensils were gone.

"But what I want back most is the silver bowl," she said.

Chaweewan is one of more than 2,000 residents of Ban Phum Saron in Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district who fled from their hometown out of fear for their lives as artillery shells rained down around them.

Sutien Mathong, 58, said the border clashes had put locals in a tight spot because they did not know what would happen next.

"Please help. We are suffering," said Sutien, who is from Ban Son Sawang of Kanthararak district.

So far 50 schools in the district have closed. Surveys show the flare-up has destroyed at least seven houses and damaged 10 others.

Surachai Khan-asa, director-general of the Community Development Department, said short vocational courses would be offered at the evacuation centres so people could pick up some job skills during their free time.

"For example, we may provide massage classes," he said.

At a temporary shelter in front of Kanthararak District Office, relief kits from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn were handed out to the refugees.

Help from various authorities also flowed in.

In Surin, another border province, 5,543 people were relocated for safety reasons, while 76 foxholes and 68 bunkers have been prepared in the four border districts.

-- The Nation 2011-02-09

Homes of displaced residents 'looted'

No surprises here. Looting followed disasters like the tsunami and air crashes.

from what was reported - women and children were avacuated, with some men remaining in the villages to protect property.

in cases of avacuation due to the military conflict, it's the army (with help of police) responsible for maintaining order in the area, including guarding properties. Now they should conduct an investigation into the lootings, return stolen goods to their owners or compensate them

There are some shameless and disgusting people around, that`s for sure.

Is this Thais looting stealing from Thais?

If so, it is not a very positive statement is it?

Khmers... you wouldn't see this among the pale skinned, and real Thais.

Is this Thais looting stealing from Thais?

If so, it is not a very positive statement is it?

Are you surprised that the criminal element in society take advantage of easy pickings? It's happened in my back yard and in yours.

In virtually all the villages, they've had to rely on self-protection (some men staying behind to watch over the homes). Why doesn't the army and police do their PRIMARY job--protect its citizens and their property? Oh, that's right, I can't even get that here in the non-conflict areas.....

From today's The Nation, in an article regarding the displaced villagers temporarily being housed in Kantharalak, Si Sa Ket Province:

"A famous local monk arrived in the afternoon in his new Bt50 million Rolls Royce to provide amulets and words of assurance to the mostly poor villagers."

Edited February 9, 201115 yr by Fookhaht

A short massage course, an amulet and some words of comfort from a blood sucker. TIT.