Cambodia says mine clearance stepped up in border areas amid tensions with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, Feb 19, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s mine clearance authority said Tuesday it is accelerating efforts to remove unexploded ordnance in residential areas along the border with Thailand, as Phnom Penh renewed calls for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), said teams were intensifying operations to clear munitions left behind following what he described as past incursions by Thai forces.

The work is focused on damaged residential zones to allow displaced families to return safely.

He said the action followed instructions from Prime Minister Hun Manet to prioritize public safety in affected communities.

According to CMAC, unexploded weapons, including cluster munitions, remain scattered across parts of the border region, posing a continuing risk to civilians.

The statement also alleged Thai forces had installed barriers and dug trenches inside Cambodian territory.

Thailand has previously rejected similar claims. Phnom Penh said it had lodged formal protests and rejected any attempt to alter the border by force.

Nearly 89 percent of Cambodians displaced by recent tensions have returned home, the interior ministry reported Wednesday.

More than 580,000 residents have reintegrated since last week, out of 640,000 initially uprooted. Around 72,000 remain displaced, including nearly 38,000 women and 25,000 children.

Officials stressed that disputes must be resolved peacefully through bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission, and urged Thailand to allow the body to resume its duties without delay.