Cambodia Seeks ASEAN Support for 20,000 Border Dispute Victims

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, informed ASEAN Foreign Ministers that approximately 20,000 Cambodian civilians have become victims of border conflicts and are living in displacement. He urged ASEAN partners to support their call for return to their homes. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn highlighted the humanitarian and human rights consequences faced by Cambodian civilians who have become victims of border disputes. The Deputy Prime Minister informed the meeting that more than 20,000 civilians continue to live in temporary shelters, with many children unable to attend school, and the elderly and other vulnerable individuals lacking adequate access to necessary care, despite the government's efforts to alleviate their hardships. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn appealed to ASEAN colleagues to support the call for their return to their homes and to live normally, safely, and with dignity, without hindrance. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict remains a complex and protracted issue, as Thai forces continue to illegally occupy Cambodian territory despite the ceasefire agreement on December 27, 2025. Cambodia continues to adhere to legal standards and international law, as well as official documents, in resolving the issue peacefully.