One Year On, Cambodia Says Thousands Still Displaced as Thai Forces Occupy Border Areas

PHNOM PENH, July 24, 2026 (KPT) – The Cambodian government on Friday marked one year since Thai military operations along the border, with spokesman Pen Bona saying thousands of civilians remain displaced and parts of Cambodian territory continue to face illegal occupation.

Bona said the events of July 24, 2025 marked the start of a Thai military campaign that caused serious consequences for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the civilian population. Nearly 650,000 people were displaced, with homes and public infrastructure destroyed.

“One year later, approximately 20,000 displaced persons, most of them women and children, remain unable to return to their homes,” Bona said, citing continued security concerns, border barriers and Thai military positions.

He accused Thai forces of installing barbed wire and shipping containers to obstruct families from returning.

The spokesman paid tribute to soldiers killed defending the frontier, describing their sacrifices as a symbol of national courage.

He said Cambodia pursued diplomacy throughout the crisis, resulting in two ceasefire agreements in 2025. The first was reached on July 28 with support from the United States, China and Malaysia as ASEAN chair.

A Joint Peace Statement was later signed on October 26 in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Bona said Thai forces launched a second operation on December 7, using heavy weapons and air power before a ceasefire was restored on December 27. Under that arrangement, 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thailand were released.

He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful settlement through the Joint Boundary Committee and international law. “Barbed wire and shipping containers cannot replace an internationally recognized border,” Bona said.