Surin, Thailand – 9 August – Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai led a senior Thai government delegation to Surin province today to assess security along the Thailand–Cambodia border in the aftermath of last month’s deadly cross-border clashes.

Joining him were Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Prime Minister's Office Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai. The delegation held security briefings with local officials and met displaced residents to review relief efforts and discuss plans for their safe return.

The violent clashes on 24 July, involving heavy weapons, caused widespread devastation across five districts, 46 subdistricts, and 571 villages in Surin. The fighting forced the evacuation of 32,485 residents. Authorities set up 84 emergency shelters for 22,854 people, while 9,631 others sought refuge with relatives.

While many displaced residents have begun returning home, military restrictions remain in Ta Miang and Bak Dai subdistricts of Phanom Dong Rak district, where troops continue security operations.

Officials say coordination between central and provincial authorities is ongoing to ensure humanitarian support and conduct security evaluations ahead of a phased reopening of restricted areas in the coming days.