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Refugees

The Forgotten History of Ban Nong Chan: A Refugee Camp's Struggle for Survival

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Along the Thai-Cambodian border, the village of Ban Nong Chan, formerly known as the Nong Chan Refugee Camp, stands as a poignant reminder of the region's turbulent past. In the late 1970s, the camp was established to shelter over 13,000 Cambodians fleeing the war and Vietnam's invasion of Democratic Kampuchea. International aid organizations such as the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) and the United Nations (UN) provided crucial support, supplying seeds, farming tools, and fishing equipment to help refugees restart their lives in Thailand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ban Nong Chan, a refugee camp, was established in 1979 to accommodate over 13,000 Cambodians fleeing the war in Democratic Kampuchea.
  • The camp was attacked several times between 1980 and 1986 by Khmer Rouge forces and Vietnamese troops, resulting in fierce fighting, forced evacuations, and heavy losses.
  • Thai soldiers were tasked with repelling the attackers and regaining control of the area.
  • Some refugees were relocated to other camps, while others chose to resettle in third countries or return to Cambodia.
  • Thailand's government, under Gen Chatichai Choonhavan's "turning battlefield into trade field" policy, encouraged the integration of refugees, leading to Cambodia's territorial claims and the current border dispute.
  • International aid organizations such as CARE and the UN played a crucial role in supporting the refugees, providing essential supplies and resources.
  • The "Ban Nong Chan and UN Pond" remains a significant symbol of the camp's history, providing much-needed water for the refugees and serving as proof that the land has always been part of Thailand.

Statistics:

  • Over 13,000 refugees lived in Ban Nong Chan by August 1979.
  • During the attacks between 1980 and 1986, there were **heavy losses** and **forced evacuations**.
  • The Thai government relocated some refugees to other camps, such as Site 3 Ang Sila, Khao I Dang, and Sa Kaeo 2.
  • The current border dispute stems from Cambodia's territorial claims, which date back to Thailand's integration policy under Gen Chatichai Choonhavan.

Sources:

  • Nation TV
  • Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)
  • United Nations (UN)

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