Prachinburi: Families weep as they receive the body of Sergeant Q, who sacrificed his life protecting Thai sovereignty at the Aranyaprathet border. Meanwhile, civilians from shelters are gradually returning home after the 2nd Army Area Command declared the fighting had subsided.
According to Thai News Agency, the girlfriend, daughter, and relatives of Sergeant Major Peerayut Nawilaijaroen, or Sergeant Q, who was originally from Prachinburi Province and a member of the 2nd Artillery Battalion, 2nd Artillery Regiment, Royal Guard, came to receive the body of Sergeant Q, a soldier who sacrificed his life while performing his duty protecting Thai sovereignty at the border in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, on December 27.
While waiting for officials to allow relatives to view Sergeant Kew's body in the coffin before the dignified burial ceremony, less than a minute later, crying was heard coming from the room. His 3-year-old daughter, who had accompanied him, burst into tears upon seeing her father. Sergeant Kew's girlfriend's sister then picked up her granddaughter and, tearfully, comforted her, saying, "Stay with Mommy. Daddy is an angel now. He'll be watching you from above, my dear. Don't cry."
The procession then moved the body of Sergeant Kew from Chakraphong Military Hospital to Wat Chaeng in Prachinburi Province for the ceremony. Many people who heard the news came to see Sergeant Kew off, holding Thai flags and singing the national anthem throughout the procession. Along the way to the temple, people swung their national flags as the procession passed, shouting, "Thank you to the soldiers who protect Thailand and ensure the well-being of the people. May he rest in peace."
Upon the procession's arrival at the temple, a platoon of honor guards, all armed with rifles and accompanied by a bugler, lined up to salute. Soldiers and civilians lined up in front to receive the body, many shedding tears of sorrow. The body of Sergeant Kew was then carried inside the hall to prepare for the royal bathing ceremony, the Buddhist funeral rites, and the cremation ceremony at the temple's crematorium on December 31st.
Meanwhile, at the evacuation center in Sisaket province, villagers are gradually moving their belongings back to their homes, although many remain concerned about the unrest. Ms. Phannana Phangklai, 49, admitted that despite the three-day ceasefire agreement, she still feels fearful and uneasy. Therefore, she decided to keep the elderly members of her family at the evacuation center while she returns to check on her house. If she hears gunfire or notices any unusual incidents, she will evacuate immediately. She also believes that Thailand may be at a disadvantage in this ceasefire agreement because it cannot trust the Cambodian side.
Similarly, Mr. Nguon Hasdang, 54, believes there is an 80 percent chance that the situation will escalate into clashes again. He also noted that the ceasefire might only be an opportunity for the Cambodian side to restock their weapons, citing past incidents where, even after the leaders of both countries signed an agreement, gunfire still occurred into Thai territory, making him unsure about the effectiveness of this ceasefire.
The latest update from the 2nd Army Area Command's Facebook page announces that the fighting has subsided and people can now return to their homes and residences as normal. They are urged to exercise caution and prioritize safety. The 2nd Army Area Command continues to diligently and wholeheartedly perform its duties in protecting national sovereignty and ensuring the safety and security of the lives and property of the people without interruption.