Rolls of razor wire now run through the middle of the village Cambodia calls Chouk Chey, cutting through fields of sugar cane.
Behind them, tall black screens rise, hiding the Thai soldiers who installed them. This marks the new, rigorous border between the two nations, formerly characterized by easy cross-border movement.
At 15:20 local time on August 13, everything changed. The Thai soldiers came and asked us to leave, says Huis Malis, a displaced villager. Then they rolled out the razor wire. I asked if I could go back to get my cooking pots. They gave me just 20 minutes.
Her family is one of 13 separated from their homes and livelihoods for decades due to this abrupt boundary shift. Warnings have been issued by Thai officials that Cambodians have illegally encroached on Thai territory, further complicating the sense of belonging for these villagers.
The border's delineation has sparked violent conflict, with approximately 40 casualties since July and a fragile ceasefire that has only temporarily hushed the tension between both nations. The BBC's visit to the region highlighted the dire situation for locals caught in the conflict, with reports of destruction left behind from five days of shelling and bombing.
Provincial Governor Oum Reatrey expressed concerns about the economic toll of the border closure, estimating losses at one million dollars a day in customs revenue. Meanwhile, border trade and tourism have plummeted, with Cambodian workers returning home in search of safety.
The historic Preah Vihear temple, also involved in the ongoing dispute, has suffered damage from artillery exchanges, with Cambodians claiming over 140 blast sites in and around the site. Unexploded ordnance littering the area amplifies fears among residents reluctant to return home.
Despite facing harsh conditions in temporary camps, where infrastructure is minimal and sanitation is lacking, many Cambodians remain hesitant to go back, fearing renewed violence. Disinformation surrounding the conflict has further exacerbated existing fears, while leaders from both nations continue a narrative steeped in nationalist rhetoric.
This sentiment for peace was echoed by everyone we spoke to at the camp, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and de-escalation of hostilities. The path forward remains unclear, yet the people's desire for a peaceful resolution shines through the hardships they face.
