The power of kindness The villagers of Nong Ya Kaeo have come together to cook meals for the border soldiers while sending encouragement to frontline officers
On 25 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters observed the border area of Sa Kaeo province, around Nong Jan and Nong Ya Kaeo villages, bustling with the goodwill of local residents. Especially groups of villagers and elderly people who stayed to help prepare food, care for, and support the soldiers on duty along the border throughout the day.
Mrs. Woraporn Thongayu, 64, known as Aunt Porn from Nong Ya Kaeo, joined villagers in using local ingredients to create popular winter dishes such as neem salad and insect salad. These ingredients are naturally found in the border area during the cool season, especially now when insects are abundant, making the insect salad plentiful. Neem leaves are also gathered along the border and cooked into spicy local dishes that the frontline officers enjoy.
Aunt Porn said she intended to prepare these meals to encourage the soldiers who selflessly serve. She also invited the Prime Minister to visit Nong Jan and Nong Ya Kaeo villages to understand the issues and boost the spirits of border residents who are still waiting with hope. "The villagers are still waiting for the Prime Minister. We want him to come as a source of encouragement. Also, Nong Ya Kaeo has run out of fermented fish sauce; the Prime Minister is welcome to visit," she joked.
Additionally, Aunt Porn expressed concern about the still fragile border situation. She said she wished for a third round of conflict to occur so that it would finally end. If there is no third round, the situation will remain unresolved. This would bring clarity to the area because villagers currently live in fear. Without a real resolution, villagers do not dare to cultivate the land; even if hundreds or thousands of rai were returned, they would still be uncertain, as Cambodia cannot be trusted without a clear border barrier.
Nevertheless, despite the tense situation, the image of villagers cooperating to cook food and support the frontline officers reflects the strength, unity, and spirit of the people living along the Sa Kaeo border.