Residents are leaving the "shelter" despite no official announcement permitting re-entry, after 13 days without income following evacuation. They fear lacking money to repay debts and send encouragement to Thai soldiers, praising them all as very capable.
On 20 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters noted that on Highway 2171 from Det Udom to Nam Yuen, outbound toward Nam Yuen district center, over the past two days, pickup trucks of Nam Yuen residents were seen carrying belongings leaving the shelter to return home. This follows news of successfully reclaiming territory at Hill 677 and Chong An Ma on 17 Dec.
When asked, Mr. Phaedet Thongpiset, 49, a local refueling his vehicle, said his family evacuated on 7 Dec, the first day of the second round of clashes, now 13 days ago. Upon hearing that Thai forces had reclaimed Chong An Ma and that no artillery fire was heard in the area, they decided to pack and return home to tap rubber trees for income. Without returning to rubber tapping, they would have no money to pay debts. He also sent encouragement to all frontline soldiers, praising Thai troops as very skilled.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kotchaphorn Thammamo, village head of Ban Nam Yuen, along with local defense volunteers, continue to operate checkpoints to screen and control entry and exit, preventing residents from returning because the situation remains classified as red. Even though no gunfire is heard, re-entry must await orders from security authorities.