ICRC completes 4-day visit to Thai villagers in Thai-Cambodian border provinces

Officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have completed their 4-day inspection tour, from Tuesday to Friday, of Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket provinces, to observe the conditions of Thai people affected by the armed conflict between Thai and Cambodian forces last December.

Organised by the Thai Army and the Foreign Ministry, the foreign officials were taken to Khok Sung and Ta Phraya districts of Sa Kaeo, Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram and Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, to speak with Thai villagers there, observe their living conditions and to determine whether their treatment meets humanitarian principles.

The ICRC delegation was also given briefings by authorities in the provinces about the condition and concerns of the border villagers during the four-day visit.

The four districts were those which saw fierce battles, involving the exchanges of artillery and rocket fire between Thai and Cambodian troops and air strikes by Thai Air Force fighter jets.