Over 20,000 Displaced Amid Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions

PHNOM PENH, July 10, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior announced Friday that over 20,000 residents remain displaced following heightened tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Despite a small number of returns in recent days, the situation remains critical. Between 06:00 on July 8 and 06:00 on July 9, a total of 20,840 people were unable to return home, including more than 10,000 women and over 6,000 children. The ministry reported that more than 640,000 civilians have been affected overall, with 83 individuals returning during the latest period. Authorities stated that access to some villages remains difficult due to the continued presence of Thai military forces. Cambodia has accused Thai troops of occupying and damaging civilian areas, though Thailand has not issued a formal response to these allegations. The ministry also added that schools and health centers in Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces remain closed. No new property damage beyond earlier reported cases has been confirmed. Government spokesman Pen Bona reiterated Cambodia’s repeated calls for Thailand to resume bilateral border talks, stressing that disputes must be resolved through diplomacy and international law, not unilateral actions or force. He recalled Cambodia's commitment to resolving border issues with Thailand and other neighbors through existing mechanisms, referencing the country's achievement of peace under its "Win-Win Policy" after decades of conflict. The Ministry of Interior stated that the government's objective is to restore stability along the frontier and enable affected communities on both sides to resume their normal livelihoods.