In early July 2025, tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated into violence near the Esan region, affecting villages close to the conflict zone and forcing residents to flee, according to a report from Seventh-day Adventist leaders involved in relief efforts.

The report described families leaving quickly, often with few belongings, as roads out of the area became congested with vehicles seeking safety. It also noted casualties among civilians as the fighting intensified. In one incident highlighted in the report, a rocket struck a 7-Eleven shop at a petrol station, killing 13 people and injuring others. As of August 4, 2025, some of the injured were still hospitalized, the report said.

Displacement and shelter

Reports stated that more than 140,000 people were displaced on the Thailand side. Figures were not available for Cambodia, but church leaders in Cambodia were also said to be assisting refugees affected by the conflict.

Among those displaced were Seventh-day Adventists. Some took refuge in Adventist churches, while others stayed in government-organized centers when churches were too far away to reach. The report noted that, in some evacuation centers, Adventists faced challenges related to limited access to foods aligned with their dietary practices.

Church members also provided support to non-Adventist relatives and community members who fled alongside Adventist families, including Buddhists and others who, according to the report, had not previously engaged with Christianity.

Donations and local response

The report said relief efforts were made possible through donations that began arriving soon after the evacuations started. Support came from donors within Thailand, followed by contributions from contacts in Australia. The report also noted that a church in Mauritius took a special offering after learning about the situation.

With these donations, church members said they were able to assist approximately 100 displaced people from different locations across southern Isan—identified in the report as the southern part of northeast Thailand, comprising Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

Communities reached

In Det Udom, the report said assistance reached nine people sheltering at the church and 20 people staying in members’ homes. It also referenced smaller groups supported from Don Keaw (four people), Sum Ngoo (four people), and Nong Nok Kien (eight people).

In Sisaket, the report said seven people received support, including some non-Adventist Filipinos who were far from home and had limited local support.

In Horn Gai, nine people were helped, and in Fangthoeng, the report said the largest group—24 people—received assistance. It noted that some of the displaced individuals in that area were relatives of church staff members and were not Adventists.

Relief included practical items such as food, mats, mosquito nets, and other basic support, alongside prayer and emotional encouragement. Organizers referred to the effort as “Bridges of Evangelism,” describing it as a response intended to serve anyone in need, regardless of faith background.

Ongoing needs

The report acknowledged that not all affected individuals could be reached and that many continued to need assistance. It also called for ongoing prayer for peace, restoration, and continued support for families impacted by the conflict.

Editor’s note: This article recounts events from mid-2025. Since then, renewed fighting has displaced more people and claimed additional lives. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Thailand continues its relief and outreach efforts as needs in the region persist.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.