Cambodia Urges UN to Act on Alleged Thai Military Encroachments

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 9, 2025) — The Cambodian Human Rights Committee has renewed its appeal to the United Nations, expressing concern over alleged violations by Thai military forces along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

In a letter to Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, the committee accused the Royal Thai Armed Forces of actions that threaten the housing and livelihoods of Cambodian civilians in border areas, despite previous ceasefire agreements.

The committee said Thai forces have laid barbed-wire fences, restricted access to homes and farmland, and are reportedly preparing to invoke martial law to evict Cambodian citizens from territory claimed by Phnom Penh.

The CHRC said the actions violate the July 28 ceasefire agreement and the 13-point minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting held Aug. 7.

The letter cited humanitarian concerns, including forced displacement, disruption of children’s education, and increased risks for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and women. The committee warned that continued evictions could lead to homelessness, poverty and social instability.

The CHRC urged the special rapporteur to engage with the Thai government to prevent further violations and uphold the right to adequate housing under international law.

It also expressed disappointment over the lack of response to its initial appeal submitted Aug. 15, warning that silence from the U.N. could undermine confidence in international human rights mechanisms.

“The integrity of the human rights system is contingent upon prompt, unbiased and effective intervention,” the committee said, calling for urgent action and support for Cambodia’s call for accountability.

The CHRC reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with U.N. human rights bodies and emphasized the need for timely engagement to protect vulnerable communities facing imminent threats.