Cambodia says more than 20,000 displaced remain unable to return after border tensions

PHNOM PENH, July 13, 2026 (KPT) – More than 20,000 people displaced by border tensions with Thailand remain unable to return home, Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior said Monday, underscoring the lingering humanitarian impact of the conflict.

In a statement covering July 11–12, the ministry said 417 displaced people had returned during that period. Out of more than 640,000 displaced in total, 20,423 people – including over 10,000 women and 6,000 children – remain unable to go back because their villages are still affected by the situation along the frontier.

Authorities said several public facilities remain closed: eight schools and five hospitals in Oddar Meanchey province, five schools and one hospital in Banteay Meanchey, and seven schools and two hospitals in Preah Vihear. No new damage to property was reported beyond incidents already documented.

The ministry welcomed a resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) during its plenary session in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The resolution called for respect for Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urged restraint by all parties, and supported implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed by the two prime ministers in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025.

It also expressed concern over continued tensions in disputed areas, citing infrastructure construction and land allocation initiatives, and highlighted civilian suffering and damage to cultural heritage.

The resolution urged an immediate reduction in tensions, withdrawal of armed forces from disputed zones, and use of bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission to resolve disputes through dialogue and international law.