A total of 110 Filipinos living in border provinces of Thailand have been evacuated following renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes said Wednesday.
Paredes said Thai authorities evacuated thousands of residents along the border starting last Sunday, December 7, including the 110 Filipinos.
“Definitely, no Filipino is in danger,” she told DZMM.
There are currently 40,000 Filipinos living in Thailand, including 356 in the border provinces. Most of these overseas Filipinos are English teachers, the ambassador said.
Paredes said the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs called a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to discuss the evacuation.
“Mas matindi na ang labanan yesterday. They are fighting over territory, matagal na ang away nila, ngayon lang ulit nagkaroon ng armed clashes. Nag umpisa nung July,” she said.
She added the ongoing 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok are unlikely to be affected since the capital is far from the border.
She said that before the games, the Philippines’ pencak silat team was stranded in Songkhla but were secured by Thai officials.
“All games and events are now in Bangkok para rin sa kaligtasan ng mga atleta,” she said.