The Hardest Chapter of My Life
I grew up in Trat, a province on the edge of Thailand. To be honest, war always felt like something a world away—until the friction with Cambodia started. At first, I didn't think much of it; I figured we’d eventually make peace and everything would go back to normal. But that’s not how it went down.
The news was relentless. We kept seeing reports of Thai soldiers being provoked in every way possible. Honestly, I had so much respect for their restraint. I mean, look at regular Thai teens—just a wrong look can start a brawl or even a shooting. Yet, these soldiers kept their cool. But then the news shifted. It wasn't just provocations anymore; reports started coming in about Thai soldiers stepping on landmines, one after another.
I didn't truly grasp the gravity of the situation at the front lines until I was traveling to Buriram for some business. I remember it was the early hours of the morning when every news channel broke the same story: a 7-Eleven in Thailand had been bombed. That was the moment I woke up to the reality. I was terrified. The one thing I never wanted to happen was unfolding right before my eyes—war with a neighbor.
The Thai government retaliated by scrambling F-16s to strike what they called "security threats." I didn't know the politics or the details, but when I returned to Trat at 7:00 PM, the sound of Thai artillery roared to life. I figured the front lines were calling for fire support. I couldn't sleep. I just sat there watching artillery shells streak across the sky like fireballs, dozens of them. The sound of them tearing through the air is a noise that still haunts my ears.
My village was right next to an artillery base. By morning, an evacuation order was issued, but I couldn't leave. As an assistant to the village chief, it was my duty to stay behind and ensure the safety of the village. During the day, I went to see the artillery trucks loading shells and firing toward Cambodia. It was deafening—absolutely loud as hell. The smell of gunpowder hit my nose, and the air was thick with smoke.
War brings nothing good. For me, it remains the worst experience of my life. Looking ahead, I fear things will only get more tense. It feels like we’re just waiting for someone to light a match for it to explode all over again. The relationship is shattered—trade, diplomacy, everything started back at zero, or maybe even in the negatives.
This was just my experience back then when I was 21. I want to express my deepest condolences to those who suffered losses in that conflict. I know how painful it is to lose a loved one. (P.S. My father just passed away two months ago.)