Cambodia Urges ASEAN, UN to Press Thailand on Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Displacement

PHNOM PENH, Sept 11, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has called on ASEAN and the United Nations to press Thailand to fully implement a ceasefire agreement, stating that nearly 18,700 people remain unable to return home nine months after the truce took effect. In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior reported that while eight more displaced individuals had returned, a total of 18,688 people—including 9,428 women and 6,066 children—are still unable to go back to their homes. The conflict had previously uprooted over 640,000 individuals. Officials have attributed the ongoing displacement to what they describe as the Thai military's occupation of civilian areas. Preliminary assessments indicate damage to 1,558 houses, seven civilian buildings, 10 hotels or apartments, four petrol stations, two markets, 34 vehicles, 10 motorcycles, 39 telecommunications towers, and six water-supply facilities. Losses to public infrastructure include 26 schools, 14 hospitals and health centers, 74 government buildings, 19 pagodas, five bridges, and 87 road sections. Fifteen schools and seven health facilities remain closed in Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, and Preah Vihear provinces. Cambodia has accused Thailand of violating international humanitarian law and conventions on cultural property. Ambassador Ke Sovann raised concerns at the UN Human Rights Council, warning that more than 20,000 civilians remain displaced despite the ceasefire. “Peace requires more than the absence of fighting,” he stated, urging the protection of civilians and their safe return. Government spokesman Pen Bona asserted that Cambodia rejects any unilateral border claims by Thailand, insisting that demarcation must be handled through the Joint Boundary Commission. Officials emphasized that attempts to alter the frontier by force would not affect Cambodia’s legal standing under international law.