A Blast That Leaves Behind a Symbol

ODDAR MEANCHEY — A full-sized civilian truck was lifted off the ground and toppled onto its side following a Thai military bombardment on December 17 in Samraong city, local residents said.

The truck, which belonged to a local family, has since become a stark symbol of the war’s destruction. Although the bomb dropped during the attack did not explode, it left a large crater nearby, generating a powerful blast wave that flipped the vehicle. The truck was parked close to a gas station, where sections of concrete sewage pipes were also stored.

At the time of the strike, the owners had already fled the area, and no injuries were reported.

After returning and reviewing CCTV footage, the family decided to leave the truck where it lies, saying it stands as a testament to how brutally the conflict has escalated.

The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand re-erupted on December 7. Both sides reached a new ceasefire agreement on December 27, ending nearly three weeks of fighting that killed at least 31 civilians on the Cambodian side, forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, and caused extensive damage to cultural heritage sites and civilian property.