Cambodia Discusses Thai Border Issues with UN Special Rapporteur

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia met with Mr. Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, to discuss the situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border and reaffirm Cambodia's commitment to resolving border issues peacefully, based on international law and in accordance with existing agreements and treaties between Cambodia and Thailand. The meeting took place at the Peace Palace on the morning of July 30, 2026. The Special Rapporteur on human rights highly appreciated Cambodia's high attention to rescuing and supporting refugees displaced by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, who have not yet been able to return to their homes. He also thanked the Cambodian government for accepting eight out of nine human rights-related documents and affirmed his commitment and readiness to cooperate with Cambodia in a constructive spirit, based on national and international law. Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the government's attention to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms based on national law and various international instruments, especially the promotion of the right to access healthcare and education. The Prime Minister emphasized that the exercise of rights and freedoms must be done responsibly and within the limits of the law. In this regard, Prime Minister Hun Manet also encouraged the Special Rapporteur to write reports based on comprehensive information from all relevant parties, aiming to contribute to the better implementation and promotion of human rights in Cambodia. The Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia pledged to cooperate with the Cambodian government in a constructive spirit. During his visit to Cambodia, Mr. Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, also visited the Cambodia-Thailand border to inspect the situation and, in particular, the impact on Cambodian civilians displaced along the border. It should be noted that as of now, approximately 20,000 displaced civilians still cannot return to their homes due to unfavorable conditions, including obstruction by Thai forces through the placement of containers and the deployment of barbed wire to block their paths, or the destruction of their homes. The Royal Government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, has a clear policy to help restore the livelihoods of displaced citizens. Both citizens who have already returned home and those who have not yet been able to return are receiving high attention from the government in terms of security, safety, and the restoration of their livelihoods. Specifically, displaced citizens who have returned home are being cared for by ministries, institutions, and local authorities, who act as the government's staff, to address various challenges they face, aiming to facilitate and maintain their livelihoods. As for displaced citizens who have not yet been able to return, the government provides them with suitable temporary shelters at "Rom Cham Village" until border issues are resolved, allowing them to return to their homes. During their temporary stay, the displaced citizens receive care from the government, relevant authorities, as well as the general public and philanthropists from all directions, in the spirit of a single Khmer family and the connection between the front and rear fronts. No citizen is left alone, regardless of the circumstances. This is the warmth that displaced citizens receive from the government, authorities, and compatriots from all directions. Once again, the spokesperson for the Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirms Cambodia's firm stance in defending the Cambodia-Thailand international border line, left by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, respecting the principles of international law, the principle of immutability of borders (Uti Possidetis Juris), the French-Siam Treaties, the maps and minutes of border demarcation by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, as well as agreements and related documents previously agreed upon by both parties. Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any alteration of the border line resulting from the use of force and emphasizes that barbed wire, containers, or new constructions built by the Thai side cannot replace the international border between the two countries.