Displaced Families Still Unable to Return After Cambodia‑Thailand Border Tensions

PHNOM PENH, July 10, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior said Friday that more than 20,000 people remain displaced following tensions along the Cambodia‑Thailand border, despite a small number of returns in recent days.

Between 06:00 on July 8 and 06:00 on July 9, a total of 20,840 people – including more than 10,000 women and over 6,000 children – were still unable to go home, the ministry reported. It said more than 640,000 civilians had been affected overall, with 83 returning during the latest period.

Authorities said some villages remain inaccessible due to the continued presence of Thai military forces, which Cambodia accused of occupying and damaging civilian areas. Thailand has not issued a response to the allegations.

The ministry added that schools and health centres in Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces remain closed, though no new damage to property was reported beyond earlier cases.

Government spokesman Pen Bona reiterated Cambodia’s call for Thailand to resume bilateral border talks, stressing disputes must be resolved through diplomacy and international law rather than unilateral actions or force.

He said Cambodia remains committed to addressing border issues with Thailand and other neighbours through existing mechanisms, recalling the country’s decades of conflict before achieving peace under its Win‑Win Policy.

The ministry said the government’s goal is to restore stability along the frontier and enable affected communities on both sides to resume normal livelihoods.