Thai park officials on standby to help evacuate villagers along Thai-Cambodia border

The national parks have also been tasked with providing tents and temporary shelters for both troops and villagers in safe zones should further fighting occur.

The Nation

The Nation

         

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This handout aerial photo taken and released by the Royal Thai Army on September 17, 2025 shows Thai army and police (bottom) facing Cambodian people in a disputed area along the Cambodia-Thailand border, as seen from Sa Kaeo province. PHOTO: HANDOUT/ROYAL THAI ARMY/AFP

September 30, 2025

BANGKOK – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has been ordered to be on standby to assist in evacuating villagers along the Thai-Cambodian border in case another round of clashes breaks out.

Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said he instructed Chayanan Pakdeejit, permanent secretary of the ministry, to direct all national parks along the border to prepare for possible evacuation operations. Suchart said he issued the order on Saturday in line with the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Emergency preparations

The permanent secretary has relayed the directive to the DNP and other agencies under the ministry, instructing them to ready park officials, vehicles, and essential equipment to assist security forces in moving villagers from border areas to designated shelters.

Park rangers will also support officials from the Department of Provincial Administration by safeguarding houses left behind after residents are evacuated.

Shelter and security measures

The national parks have been tasked with providing tents and temporary shelters for both troops and villagers in safe zones should further fighting occur.

Suchart also instructed the DNP to coordinate with the military to clear unexploded rockets and bombs left in parks following Cambodian attacks in late July.

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