Over 20,000 Still Displaced Months After Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire

PHNOM PENH, Aug 7, 2026 (KPT) – More than 20,000 people remain unable to return home more than seven months after a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand took effect, Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said Thursday. The ministry reported 20,281 displaced civilians as of Aug 6, including 10,331 women and 6,066 children. The figure is down sharply from over 640,000 who fled during the conflict, but authorities said recovery has been slow. It accused Thailand of failing to fully implement commitments under a joint statement adopted at the third Special General Border Committee meeting after the ceasefire, which began on Dec 27, 2025. Cambodian officials said they were continuing to document alleged violations while assisting affected residents. Schools and health facilities in several border provinces remain closed, the ministry said. Six schools and four hospitals in Oddar Meanchey, five schools and one health facility in Banteay Meanchey, and four schools and two health facilities in Preah Vihear have yet to reopen. Preliminary assessments cited widespread damage to infrastructure, including 1,558 houses, 26 schools, 14 hospitals, 19 pagodas, four ancient temples, five bridges, 87 road sections, three electricity transmission lines, six water supply facilities and 39 mobile phone towers. The ministry rejected a claim by a Royal Thai Army spokesperson that only about 4,000 Cambodians remain displaced, saying its figures matched ASEAN Observer Team data and UN human rights observations. The government reiterated its commitment to resolving the border dispute peacefully and urged public support for Prime Minister Hun Manet’s efforts to restore stability and enable displaced residents to return.