On August 26, 2025, the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) team from the Mondulkiri Hill Tribes Memory Community Center traveled to remote villages in the province to conduct interviews, assess the well-being of local residents and national unity in time of border conflict. Their first stop was Andaung Kraloeng village in O’Raing District, where they met with several people. Three people’s stories are highlighted down below.
1) The Village Chief
“Although the hill tribes are culturally distinct, they share in the fate of the country as Cambodian citizens. The border conflict reinforces the importance of solidarity: uniting despite differences, protecting sovereignty, and ensuring peace so that remote communities like Andoung Kraloeng can continue to live, farm, and preserve their traditions without fear of displacement or loss,” Andoung Kraloeng village chief said.
Chi Ronherb, 56, currently resides in Anlong Kraloeng and serves as its chief. He oversees 194 families, comprising a population of 861 people, and is responsible for resolving disputes, addressing community needs, and ensuring the welfare of the villagers. Anlong Kraloeng is primarily inhabited by indigenous minority groups and is known locally as Bon Romjerng in their native language. The village has a long oral history passed down through generations, including accounts of two major disasters that shaped its past.
The first was a decade-long drought during which both people and animals competed for scarce sources of water. Although some water could be found far away, it was difficult to access and often insufficient. During this time, a village chief dug a well and reinforced it with soft rock. To protect the precious supply, he added a gong to cover up the well, referred to by the community as romjerng kmos, which kept animals away. Miraculously, the well filled with water overnight, providing water for the community. Years later, a severe flood struck the village, leading to the loss of several lives. Traditionally, indigenous villagers lived in small groups under local chiefs and moved periodically in search of better land. After Cambodia’s independence and during King Norodom Sihanouk’s reign, they were encouraged to settle permanently near national roads, leading to the present-day formation of Anlong Kraloeng.
Ronherb is also a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. At the age of 10, he and his community were evacuated to Sre Ombo for one year before being relocated to Ko Nhaek by Khmer Rouge soldiers. During this time, villagers were prohibited from practicing their religion or traditions, and sacred objects were confiscated. Elephants raised by the community were also taken away. Although forced to comply under threat of death, many villagers continued to pray quietly and preserve their beliefs in secret. Mr. Ronherb recalled being forced to work at night with little food to eat and being separated from his mother, living only with his father, who was gravely ill. His father eventually recovered after a month of treatment from a traditional doctor but later returned due to a leg injury. Following the fall of the regime, many villagers were hesitant to return to their ancestral homes due to insecurity caused by the Khmer Rouge soldiers. From 1982 onward, survivors resettled in central areas of Mondulkiri and gradually moved closer to O’Reang District. It was not until 1994 that elders decided to call the community back to Anlong Kraloeng, though some families resettled permanently in Vietnam.
Despite its remote location, the community remains attentive to national affairs, particularly the recent border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. Mr. Ronherb noted that villagers mostly receive information through social media platforms such as Facebook, though they are often uncertain about the reliability of the reports. Nevertheless, they follow the news closely. He expressed concern that Thailand has often tried to provoke Cambodia and emphasized that Cambodians must stand united, regardless of ethnicity, to protect the nation. He further explained why the conflict matters even to the most isolated indigenous villages. Although the fighting has not reached Mondulkiri, the ripple effects of instability are felt everywhere. Border tensions disrupt trade and the flow of goods, which can raise prices in local markets and directly affect daily livelihoods. Young men and women from indigenous communities who serve in the armed forces may be called to defend the nation, linking the conflict to local families. Moreover, instability at the border threatens national unity, and for ethnic minorities who have long struggled for recognition, this is a moment to affirm their Cambodian identity. “Even if the war feels far away,” he explained, “it still affects our lives. We all live under one nation, and if Cambodia is not stable, neither are we.”
For Mr. Ronherb, this is a reminder that although the hill tribes are culturally distinct, they share in the fate of the country as Cambodian citizens. The border conflict reinforces the importance of solidarity: uniting despite differences, protecting sovereignty, and ensuring peace so that remote communities like Andaung Kraloeng can continue to live, farm, and preserve their traditions without fear of displacement or loss.
Looking to the future, Mr. Ronherb sees the village’s development as closely tied to agriculture, which forms the backbone of the local economy. He hopes to improve farming productivity and increase crop yields to ensure food security and generate income for the community. He expressed a strong desire for development organizations to provide training and introduce modern techniques so that farmers can adapt to changing conditions and grow more efficiently. For him, strengthening agriculture is key to empowering the community, improving livelihoods, and building a more stable future for Andaung Kraloeng.
The Father: A Father’s Love towards a Son in a Battlefield
“I have passed on all the military strategies I have to my son who is stationed on the front lines. I pray that my children and the Cambodian army will win every battle. This is our land. If we don’t protect it, who will?” Lay Savy, former soldier and father of Lay Sina.
2) A Soldier’s Father: Lay Savy
The team visited a military family in Andoung Kraloeng village, Sen Monorom commune, O’Raing district, Mondulkiri province, accompanied by Mr. Chi Ronherb, the village chief of Andoung Kraloeng. We met Lay Savy, who was alone at home. When we asked about his children, we learned that Lay Savy had been a soldier, and asked him to tell us about his life and experiences as a Cambodian soldier before jumping into his son’s story.
Lay Savy was born in Kampong Thom province and married a Bunong woman in Andoung Kraloeng village, Sen Monorom commune, O’Raing district, Mondulkiri province. Savy is currently a veteran. He joined the United Front for National Salvation in 1984, where he fought against the Khmer Rouge in many battles. He learned military tactics and spiritual beliefs. He was in the infantry carrying B-41 weapon. He described in a firm voice, with a cheerful face and a reasonable speech that after fighting two or three times in battle, his fear disappeared. He admitted that when he first entered the battlefield, he was afraid because he had never experienced fighting in a real battlefield. He himself fought with the Thai army in 2011.
He said that his son, Lay Sina, 19, had been in the military for a short time and was sent to the front line in the An Ses area of Preah Vihear province. At first, he missed and was worried about his son because Sina had only been in the military for five months. He went to visit his son and bought a roasted cow in Preah Vihear province for him and his fellow soldier brothers. The roasted cow was a gift from the governor of O’Raing district. Moroever, his wife packed vegetables and food for him before the armed conflict on July 24 expressing motherly concerns for her son. He happily showed a photo of him and his son when they encountered on the trip. “My son is now bigger than me. He likes samlor prong as he cooks this soup quite often, so my wife sent him some vegetables and ingredients to make the soup. He also likes chili peppers,” he said.
Even after retirement, Savy still keeps his military uniform well. He shares military tactics with his children to fight the enemy. In addition, he tells them about traditional Pali chants that is passed down from generations, which acts a shield to protect and gives oneself confidence when fighting. “I have passed on all the military tactics I have to my children who are on the front lines. I pray that my son and the Cambodian army will win every battle. This is our land. If we don’t protect the Khmer land, who will?”
During the five-day clash between the Cambodian and Thai armies, his son said, “Dad, the ground is now shaking. My team has lost two or three people.” He told his son to be very careful and to always stay down, especially when the enemy is dropping ariel bombs. He asked his son to memorize the Pali chants in order to protect himself during the war. He said, “During these five days, I was worried about my son and was constantly thinking about him in the battle but I could not do anything. I thought to myself, if I could fight instead of my son, I would go right away. But I encouraged and lift my son’s spirit from a distance by telling him that if we, as soldiers, do not protect the Cambodian land, who will? I asked him to recite the chants that helps in protecting him and enduring the thirst during the war. Furthermore, I told him to grab a handful of soil to put on his head so that he wouldn’t be afraid and instead gave him the confidence in fighting the invaders.
He confirmed that this time the battle is much more intense than the 2011 battle because this time, the fighting took place in many locations in which the Thai side deployed F-16, Gripens fighter jets and drones to fight against the Cambodian army. He strongly acknowledged and praised the Cambodian army of being strong enough to withstand the Thai army even without top notched technology and advanced military weapons. However, he conveyed his concerns, stating that we must be very careful at all times because a new outbreak of fire can occur at any time.
When asked whether the current ceasefire and border observer arrangements were sufficient, he said they would not be effective unless UN peacekeepers remained on the border for a long time, as they did in 1992. Otherwise, the Thai army would still find a reason to legally launch a military operation against Cambodia.
Moreover, upon being asked what the visit to the military family meant to him, Savy replied, “It’s very important because it shows that we care for the army and national defense.” This was the first time that someone had come to visit him and inquire about his son’s situation on the battlefield, with the village chief joining as well. .
3) Nhoeb Poeut
Nhoeb Poeut, 28, currently resides in Andoung Kraloeng Village, O’Reang District, Mondulkiri. She is the daughter of the village chief and recently shared her perspective with the DC-Cam team regarding the ongoing border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
Although she lives in a remote indigenous community, Ms. Poeut remains well informed about national events through social media platforms such as Facebook. She expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that Thailand initiated the conflict by attempting to encroach on Cambodian territory and seize cultural heritage sites, including temples. She also noted reports of Thai soldiers capturing Cambodian troops without releasing them and of barbed wire being placed along the border, which she said has caused fear and unease among local villagers. Recalling one particular incident, Nhoeb Poeut mentioned that Thai forces had attempted to launch a bomb into Cambodian territory, but it misfired and exploded on their own land instead. She described her relief that no harm was done to Cambodian people or property.
Despite her fears about the possibility of losing Cambodian land, Ms. Poeut expressed strong confidence in and support for the Cambodian military. She praised the soldiers’ sacrifices and determination in defending the nation, emphasizing that their efforts provide a sense of safety for ordinary citizens.
In French:
https://www.cambodgemag.com/post/les-voix-oubli%C3%A9es-du-cambodge-m%C3%A9moire-autochtone-survie-et-qu%C3%AAte-d-unit%C3%A9-nationale
“I have passed on all the military strategies I have to my son who is stationed on the front lines. I pray that my children and the Cambodian army will win every battle. This is our land. If we don’t protect it, who will?” Lay Savy, former soldier and father of Lay Sina.
My brother and I are the only surviving children after our parents passed away. Now, he is in the battlefield leaving me alone taking care of our house.
Report by Lim I-Phing, So Farina, Chey Chan Sineth
Photo by Sok Vannak and Mony Bunsen
Date: August 26, 2025