22 October 2008 MCOT (Thailand)
In addition to army personnel, paramilitary rangers have played a vital role in the protection of Thailand’s sovereignty on the disputed Thai-Cambodian border. While the rangers are carrying out their duties, their wives and children are suffering from sleepless nights for fear of their safety.
The troubled border area near the Preah Vihear temple is less than 10 kilometres from several villages in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province in Thailand’s northeast.
Many village women taking care of their children are on alert around the clock for a possible evacuation. In the meantime, they are worried about their husbands’ safety. Their husbands are paramilitary rangers fighting side by side with Thai soldiers on the border.
Buasorn Jorat’s husband is a ranger stationed on the front-line since the Thai-Cambodian border dispute started. In the past three months, her husband has been allowed only a few brief visits to the family while in town to buy provisions. Each visit lasts less than an hour.
When a major clash erupted last week, Buasorn learned Thai and Cambodian troops had exchanged gunfire at close range and her husband might have been killed. She was so tense she could not sleep.
"I’d like both parties to negotiate so the dispute will end and we all will be relieved. Then the rangers won’t have to carry on the burden and can stay out of danger," said Buasorn.
Pangsri Raksawas, the wife of another ranger, shares the same anxiety. She said her husband usually had seven days off per month. However, as the border conflict escalated, her husband had no days off at all.
Pangsri has been concerned for her husband’s well-being but it’s been impossible to hear news of him. Since the border skirmish took place, she said her mental condition had deteriorated and she could do nothing but pray for her husband.
"My husband and I haven’t seen each other since the clashes. It’s also impossible to contact him," Pangsri said.
Thai rangers on duty along the border area near the Preah Vihear temple have been confronting their Cambodian counterparts at a close distance of less than 10 metres.
In fact, Thai and Cambodian rangers have been deployed in the area for so long they know each other quite well. They realise their duties in protecting their respective countries but they would rather not be parted from their families.
The troubled border area near the Preah Vihear temple is less than 10 kilometres from several villages in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province in Thailand’s northeast.
Many village women taking care of their children are on alert around the clock for a possible evacuation. In the meantime, they are worried about their husbands’ safety. Their husbands are paramilitary rangers fighting side by side with Thai soldiers on the border.
Buasorn Jorat’s husband is a ranger stationed on the front-line since the Thai-Cambodian border dispute started. In the past three months, her husband has been allowed only a few brief visits to the family while in town to buy provisions. Each visit lasts less than an hour.
When a major clash erupted last week, Buasorn learned Thai and Cambodian troops had exchanged gunfire at close range and her husband might have been killed. She was so tense she could not sleep.
"I’d like both parties to negotiate so the dispute will end and we all will be relieved. Then the rangers won’t have to carry on the burden and can stay out of danger," said Buasorn.
Pangsri Raksawas, the wife of another ranger, shares the same anxiety. She said her husband usually had seven days off per month. However, as the border conflict escalated, her husband had no days off at all.
Pangsri has been concerned for her husband’s well-being but it’s been impossible to hear news of him. Since the border skirmish took place, she said her mental condition had deteriorated and she could do nothing but pray for her husband.
"My husband and I haven’t seen each other since the clashes. It’s also impossible to contact him," Pangsri said.
Thai rangers on duty along the border area near the Preah Vihear temple have been confronting their Cambodian counterparts at a close distance of less than 10 metres.
In fact, Thai and Cambodian rangers have been deployed in the area for so long they know each other quite well. They realise their duties in protecting their respective countries but they would rather not be parted from their families.
