Small at dawn – now the family is stuck in the conflict

Thailand

Swedes stuck in the middle of the conflict: We can't get out

Christina Nordh

Updated 16.29 | Published 13.35

 

Somjit and Tony Pettersson with their daughter Vilma are visiting eastern Thailand. Photo: Private

Thailand has evacuated residents along its eastern border.

Tony Pettersson, 46, and his family are in a hotel near Khun Han, a resident of Landskrona.

– Now they have closed the road from here. We can't get out, he says.

At dawn, Swedish time, they heard loud bangs. It was then half past ten in the morning local time.

– We were on our way home to the hotel when we heard loud bangs.

But he is not worried yet, so far locals who live closer to the Cambodian border have been evacuated to the province of Si Sa Ket where the Pettersson family is.

– But we are following the news, he says.

A week ago they came to Thailand from Vietnam, Tony, his wife Somjit, 43, and daughter Vilma, 12. The idea is to visit Somjit's family.

It is unclear how the latest clashes along the common border between Thailand and Cambodia started. Both countries blame each other and the ambassadors have been recalled.

 

Damage to houses after Cambodia's air raid. Photo: AP

Borders closed

On Thursday, Cambodia announced that it had closed the border for diplomatic relations to the lowest level, writes the AP news agency.

Cambodia's Ministry of Defense has strongly condemned Thursday's air raids against the country.

According to the spokesperson Maly Socheata, Thailand violated a previous agreement and launched an attack at 06:30, local time, and advanced towards the Wat Keo Sikkha Kirisvara military area, writes the  Phnom Penh Post.

– Thailand's use of heavy weapons and the massive deployment of troops to encroach on Cambodian territory is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter and basic principles of international law. Such irresponsible and illegal actions pose a serious threat, not only to regional peace and stability, but also to the foundations of the international order, she says.

The border between the countries was already closed on Wednesday and no one can travel through the six relevant areas on the border, according to Thai media.

 

Thai soldiers on the border with Cambodia. Photo: AP

Several dead

Now the number of victims in the conflict is increasing. After a Cambodian rocket attack in the province of Si Sa Ket, nine are dead, including an eight-year-old boy. 14 people were injured.

The Thai military has carried out an airstrike with F-16 planes against military targets. At the same time, clashes are reported in six different areas, writes the Bangkok Post.

According to information to the Thai television channel Khaosod, the army is now threatening to escalate the operation - if "Cambodia cannot be stopped".

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council.

Aftonbladet has contacted Ambassador Anna Hammargren for information about Swedes in the area.

She tells Expressen that around a hundred Swedes are in the border area on the Thai side.

Swedes are warned

- The call for those in the border areas is to be vigilant, stay informed and follow the advice of the authorities, says Anna Hammargren, Sweden's ambassador in Bangkok.

On Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a warning on its website to Swedish citizens who are in the area:

"Anyone who is currently in the border area is urged to exercise extreme caution and to carefully follow the recommendations of local media and authorities."