These spatial and socioeconomic transformations have influenced both the older
and newer residents to adopt benign views of the Thai–Cambodian border conflict. A
public servant in the capital made a sarcastic comment: ‘I want to thank Thailand for
causing the conflict. Otherwise, my province would be left isolated like a frog in the
well.’
79 This statement was also echoed by other public servants and local residents.80
An official working with the municipality told me, ‘This big municipality building was