Park officials on standby to help evacuate villagers along Thai-Cambodia border
Park officials put on standby to aid evacuations along Thai-Cambodia border as govt prepares for possible renewed clashes.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has been ordered to be on standby to assist in evacuating villagers along the Thai-Cambodian border in case another round of clashes breaks out.
Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said he instructed Chayanan Pakdeejit, permanent secretary of the ministry, to direct all national parks along the border to prepare for possible evacuation operations. Suchart said he issued the order on Saturday in line with the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Emergency preparations
The permanent secretary has relayed the directive to the DNP and other agencies under the ministry, instructing them to ready park officials, vehicles, and essential equipment to assist security forces in moving villagers from border areas to designated shelters.
Park rangers will also support officials from the Department of Provincial Administration by safeguarding houses left behind after residents are evacuated.
Shelter and security measures
The national parks have been tasked with providing tents and temporary shelters for both troops and villagers in safe zones should further fighting occur.
Suchart also instructed the DNP to coordinate with the military to clear unexploded rockets and bombs left in parks following Cambodian attacks in late July.
