Thai Military Allegedly Blocks Return of Over 18,000 Cambodian Citizens

The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia announced on September 12, 2026, that 18,688 Cambodian citizens (including 9,428 women and 6,066 children) are still unable to return to their villages and original homes due to obstruction by the Thai military. This confirms that the Thai side has not fully and faithfully implemented the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on December 27, 2025. Instead, the Thai military has been severely violating Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by occupying civilian locations, destroying civilian property, and preventing Cambodian citizens from returning to their original homes. In a press release regarding the situation of displaced persons and the impact on Cambodia's civilian areas as of the morning of September 12, 2026, the Ministry of Interior emphasized that this obstruction and inability to return is not an unintentional consequence of the conflict, but a direct result of the continued illegal occupation of civilian homes by the Thai military and the destruction of houses and civilian property after the ceasefire took effect. These actions also gravely violate the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which strictly prohibit the expulsion, forcible transfer, and displacement of civilians from occupied territory. Through its press release, the Ministry of Interior reiterated that based on the principles of international law, "as long as the illegal occupier is constantly protested by the owner of the territory, the illegal occupier will not gain permanent possession rights. Conversely, as long as the owner of the territory continues to protest, they will not lose their rights due to prescription." The Ministry of Interior declared its firm opposition and absolute non-recognition of any unilateral border changes or changes made by force, past, present, and future. It also urged the Thai side to demonstrate genuine goodwill in fully implementing the joint declaration of the GBC special meeting on December 27, 2025, particularly by accelerating border demarcation work by the JBC based on the maps and treaties between France and Siam, as well as agreed-upon official documents, to establish a permanent border of peace, cooperation, and development.