Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has instructed the authorities in provinces bordering Thailand to evacuate citizens from border districts, especially high-risk areas, to the sanctuaries that have already been prepared. He has also ordered them to keep records of the damage done by Thai military strikes.
In a December 9 letter, Sokha told officials to provide the displaced population with food supplies, medicine, clean water and electricity, saying they must arrange tents or shelters daily necessities, and other requirements, in an appropriate manner.
“The provincial authorities should assign working groups to compile evidence of all attacks and by the Thai army, including injuries and loss of civilian lives, damage to property, homes, pagodas, temples, schools, hospitals, civilian infrastructure and other assets. Please attach photos, videos, specific coordinate locations and any other evidence if available,” he said.
He also ordered a ban on the flying of civilian drones and ordered measures to prevent and suppress such flights until the situation returns to normal.
Sokha told the authorities to appeal for humanitarian support from aid organisations or philanthropists, whether in the form of food, funds, medicine, or social services, all of which are needed to support the displaced refugees currently staying in temporary shelters.
Additionally, he ordered security forces to protect the war refugees and their property, as well as to “patrol 24 hours a day to prevent embedded agents or foreign elements from conducting espionage activities or providing confidential information or the locations of Cambodian military units to foreign enemies”.
He also called for the provincial authorities to instruct the public not to disseminate images or videos regarding the movement of armed forces, heavy weapons or the locations of Cambodian military positions.
Measures should also be taken to prevent propaganda that is inciteful in nature, demoralises the army or National Police, fuels anger or incites racial discrimination between the two neighbouring Kingdoms.
