Latest news with #PornpanSooksai
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Thai woman herds cats under fire in Cambodia clashes
Published Jul 25, 2025 • 2 minute read Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats to safety, even as the cross-border blasts from Cambodia rang out Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP SURIN, Thailand — When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'I suddenly heard a loud bang,' the 46-year-old told AFP. 'Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things.' Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats — even as the cross-border blasts rang out. 'Luckily they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out,' she said at a shelter in nearby Surin city, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tensions have been building between Thailand and Cambodia since late May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a firefight over a long-contested border region. Tit-for-tat trade curbs and border closures escalated into conflict on Thursday, and each side has accused the other of firing the opening shot in the battle now being waged with jets, artillery, tanks and troops. At least 16 people have been killed, according to tolls from both sides, the majority of them civilians. But Pornpan was well-prepared to save her felines. 'Since I heard about the possible conflict two months ago, I stocked up on food and bought cat carriers,' she said. 'If I leave the cats behind, they'd die.' Alongside her cats, Ponrpan also evacuated nine other family members, including her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The process took its toll once the adrenaline wore off midway through their escape. 'I was terrified the whole time. I was scared the bombs would hit us or the house,' she said. 'I had a panic attack in the car. My body went numb. I had to go to hospital during the evacuation.' At the Surin city shelter her cats have been installed in their portable kennels — drawing curious children waiting out the conflict alongside their parents on the gymnasium floor. Skittish from the sudden onset of gunfire, they are slowly recovering from their ordeal. 'One kept trying to escape its crate, wouldn't eat and kept crying,' Pornpan said. 'Another one was panting -– maybe heatstroke. I had to splash water on it.' Toronto & GTA Columnists Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls News
NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
As Cambodian Artillery Screamed Across Sky, Thai Woman Rushes To Save Cats
When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro, and Batman. "I suddenly heard a loud bang," the 46-year-old told AFP. "Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things." Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats -- even as the cross-border blasts rang out. "Luckily they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out," she said at a shelter in nearby Surin city, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees. Tensions have been building between Thailand and Cambodia since late May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a firefight over a long-contested border region. Tit-for-tat trade curbs and border closures escalated into conflict on Thursday, and each side has accused the other of firing the opening shot in the battle now being waged with jets, artillery, tanks and troops. At least 16 people have been killed, according to tolls from both sides, the majority of them civilians. But Pornpan was well-prepared to save her felines. "Since I heard about the possible conflict two months ago, I stocked up on food and bought cat carriers," she said. "If I leave the cats behind, they'd die." Alongside her cats, Ponrpan also evacuated nine other family members, including her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. The process took its toll once the adrenaline wore off midway through their escape. "I was terrified the whole time. I was scared the bombs would hit us or the house," she said. "I had a panic attack in the car. My body went numb. I had to go to hospital during the evacuation." At the Surin city shelter her cats have been installed in their portable kennels -- drawing curious children waiting out the conflict alongside their parents on the gymnasium floor. Skittish from the sudden onset of gunfire, they are slowly recovering from their ordeal. "One kept trying to escape its crate, wouldn't eat and kept crying," Pornpan said. "Another one was panting -- maybe heatstroke. I had to splash water on it."
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai woman escapes with beloved cats while under fire in Cambodia clashes
Pornpan Sooksai sitting with her cats as they take shelter in a gymnasium on the grounds of Surindra Rajabhat University in the Thai border province of Surin on July 25, 2025. - AFP) SURIN: When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman. "I suddenly heard a loud bang," the 46-year-old told AFP. "Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things." Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats -- even as the cross-border blasts rang out. "Luckily they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out," she said at a shelter in nearby Surin city, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees. Tensions have been building between Thailand and Cambodia since late May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a firefight over a long-contested border region. Tit-for-tat trade curbs and border closures escalated into conflict on Thursday, and each side has accused the other of firing the opening shot in the battle now being waged with jets, artillery, tanks and troops. At least 16 people have been killed, according to tolls from both sides, the majority of them civilians. But Pornpan was well-prepared to save her felines. "Since I heard about the possible conflict two months ago, I stocked up on food and bought cat carriers," she said. "If I leave the cats behind, they'd die." Alongside her cats, Ponrpan also evacuated nine other family members, including her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. The process took its toll once the adrenaline wore off midway through their escape. "I was terrified the whole time. I was scared the bombs would hit us or the house," she said. "I had a panic attack in the car. My body went numb. I had to go to hospital during the evacuation." At the Surin city shelter her cats have been installed in their portable kennels -- drawing curious children waiting out the conflict alongside their parents on the gymnasium floor. Skittish from the sudden onset of gunfire, they are slowly recovering from their ordeal. "One kept trying to escape its crate, wouldn't eat and kept crying," Pornpan said. "Another one was panting -- maybe heatstroke. I had to splash water on it." - AFP
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Thai-Cambodia conflict: woman saves cats by braving artillery fire
When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman. 'I suddenly heard a loud bang,' the 46-year-old told said. 'Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things.' Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them, as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats – even as the cross-border blasts rang out. 'Luckily, they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out,' she said at a shelter in nearby Surin City, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Thai woman shelters cats from fire in Cambodia clashes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Surin, Thailand - When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman. 'I suddenly heard a loud bang,' the 46-year-old told AFP. 'Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things.' Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Ms Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats – even as the cross-border blasts rang out. 'Luckily they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out,' she said at a shelter in nearby Surin city, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees. Tensions have been building between Thailand and Cambodia since late May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a firefight over a long-contested border region. Tit-for-tat trade curbs and border closures escalated into conflict on July 24, and each side has accused the other of firing the opening shot in the battle now being waged with jets, artillery, tanks and troops. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Work to build bridge linking Marina Centre and Gardens by the Bay to start in Q1 2026 Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly At least 16 people have been killed, according to tolls from both sides, the majority of them civilians. But Ms Pornpan was well-prepared to save her felines. 'Since I heard about the possible conflict two months ago, I stocked up on food and bought cat carriers,' she said. 'If I leave the cats behind, they'd die.' Alongside her cats, Ms Pornpan also evacuated nine other family members, including her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. The process took its toll once the adrenaline wore off midway through their escape. 'I was terrified the whole time. I was scared the bombs would hit us or the house,' she said. 'I had a panic attack in the car. My body went numb. I had to go to hospital during the evacuation.' At the Surin city shelter her cats have been installed in their portable kennels – drawing curious children waiting out the conflict alongside their parents on the gymnasium floor. Skittish from the sudden onset of gunfire, they are slowly recovering from their ordeal. 'One kept trying to escape its crate, wouldn't eat and kept crying,' Ms Pornpan said. 'Another one was panting – maybe heatstroke. I had to splash water on it.' AFP
