SI SA KET, 5 February 2011 (NNT) – Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province has been pronounced a disaster zone after clashes erupted between Thai and Cambodian troops while assistance is being urgently provided for the evacuated.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has declared Kantharalak district an emergency disaster area after soldiers on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border were engaged in an artillery exchange on Friday. Local residents were evacuated and are now residing in a shelter at the Kantharalak District Office located 30 kilometers away from the clash site.

As the evacuation was carried out immediately after gunshots were heard, local residents had no time to grab their personal belongings. Therefore, warm clothing, drinking water, food and other necessities are much needed.

National News Bureau of Thailand