Hundreds of Structures Destroyed Along Cambodia-Thailand Border, Rights Group Reports

PHNOM PENH, 5 August 2026 (KPT) – Hundreds of homes and other structures in villages along the Cambodia‑Thailand border have been destroyed since a ceasefire agreement between the two countries, Cambodian rights group LICADHO said Wednesday. High‑resolution satellite images taken in March showed at least 627 structures razed in three villages in Banteay Meanchey province: Chok Chey, Boeung Trarkuon and Prey Chan, the group said. It had earlier raised concerns in January, shortly after the ceasefire, based on publicly available Sentinel‑2 imagery from the European Space Agency. LICADHO said newer images available through Apple Maps indicated further destruction in the months following the truce. The organisation published the images without taking a position on competing border claims. According to LICADHO, 270 structures were destroyed in Chok Chey, where Cambodian villagers have lived for decades. Satellite data showed settlement since 2006, while residents reported living there since the 1990s. Cambodian government figures from 2019 put the village population at 631 families, or 2,586 people. In Boeung Trarkuon, 299 structures including homes and a health centre were destroyed or placed under Thai control. In Prey Chan, 58 structures were razed or taken over, the group said. LICADHO cited Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits destruction of civilian property by an occupying power except for military necessity. It said international law protects the right to adequate housing and bans arbitrary destruction and forced evictions. UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said on 31 July that displaced people have the right to return to their homes under international law. “It is a matter of international law that those displaced by armed conflict have the right to return,” he said. LICADHO urged Thai authorities to halt clearance of civilian homes and infrastructure, and called on Cambodian authorities to ensure displaced communities have housing and support while unable to return.