By Artorn Pookasook and Chantha Lach

SAI THO 10 VILLAGE, Thailand/SAMRAONG, Cambodia, Dec 10 (Reuters) – Thousands of families on both sides of the disputed border separating Thailand and Cambodia have fled to escape a bitter new conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations, but ‍some have been forced to stay behind.

Wuttikrai Chimngarm, a Thai security guard who also serves as village head, hunkered down behind a makeshift bunker built from six layers of tyres as shelling continued to shake the Thai border province of Buriram.

“I have to stay behind. I’m the head of the village, if not me then who? Who will be safeguarding the houses and belongings of the villagers from looters? I’m the leader, and ‌all the village security guards have to stick together.”

Hundreds of thousands of

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