Concerned about their property as fighting rages on
Two residents in areas where clashes have broken out spoke to The Nation yesterday about their experiences.
Ratana Duangkaew, a resident in the Rajprarop area, left her home because she was worried about her safety. However, she is still concerned about her property because the clashes are taking place in front of her home.
James, 23, who rents a flat with his father in the Bon Kai community, said hearing constant sounds of gunfire and explosions was scary. Also, their life was becoming difficult due to water and electricity being cut off.
"I hear gunfire and bombs all the time. I live under constant pressure and am stressed out. On Saturday or maybe Sunday, there was an oil tank parking in front of my community and a guy was trying to set it on fire. I was horrified. Luckily, that guy was shot. That was when I decided to move out," Ratana said.
She called some hotlines for help, but they all advised that she stay indoors. Ratana said what was happening around her home was too difficult to bear, so she asked soldiers for permission to leave. Now, she is living with her relatives outside Bangkok, though she is still uncertain about the safety of her property.
"I'm worried about my home and property. I really need the soldiers or police to keep their eyes on all houses in the dangerous areas. People might break into the homes and steal things," she said.
Meanwhile, James too has moved out of his flat and checked into a hotel.
"After the clashes started occurring, we stayed indoors for safety. We were so nervous because we could not watch TV to monitor what was happening outside, and wondered if we would be safe. I couldn't recharge my mobile phone either because there was no electricity."
James said the violence and the cutting off of utilities had forced people to flee their residences. Also, there were fewer food stalls yesterday and if the situation continued, there would be food shortages, he added.
Some 30 per cent of the 5,000 to 7,000 residents in the community have not moved out, said Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration spokesman Thanom Onketpol.
The BMA's plan to distribute food to people in the community stuck at home was cancelled yesterday for safety reasons.
However, Thanom said the BMA would start handing out food, medical supplies and basic necessities as soon as soldiers allowed them into the affected areas.
Yesterday alone, its 1555 hotline received more than 100 calls from frustrated residents, most of whom wanted to get out of the area.
The lack of water, electricity and food and the cancellation of mobile-phone signals, as well as smoke from burning car tyres, was making life difficult.
The BMA has set up temporary shelters around Din Daeng, at Wichuthit School, for up to 600 people, at Wichakorn School for 400 people and at Sam Sen Nok School for up to 500 people. Food, a sleeping area, bathing and toilet facilities are offered at the shelters.