More than 20,.000 people remained displaced on Cambodia territory following the second round of armed attacks. (AKP)
Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra urged urgent measures to enable thousands of displaced civilians to return home safely, voluntarily and with dignity, warning that the issue has become a wider humanitarian and human rights concern.
In a statement posted on his Facebook account on August 7, Pheaktra said more than 20,000 people remained displaced following two rounds of armed attacks by Thai military forces on Cambodian territory in 2025. Among them are an estimated 6,000 children who have yet to return to school or resume normal life in communities across Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat provinces.
Around 650,000 Cambodian civilians were displaced during the two episodes of fighting, according to the minister. Although a ceasefire was reached in late 2025, he said conditions in some affected areas continue to prevent residents from going back.
Pheaktra cited villages surrounded by barbed wire and shipping containers, blocked roads and damaged homes, as well as schools, Buddhist pagodas, health centres and other civilian facilities that have been affected.
He stressed that the unresolved border dispute should not prevent displaced communities from returning while Cambodia and Thailand pursue peaceful border demarcation through established bilateral mechanisms and international law.
Referring to United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia Thomas Andrews, Pheaktra described the right to return safely and with dignity as a fundamental human rights issue.
He called for the full implementation of the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement and the removal of barriers preventing civilians from returning.
“Peace” must mean more than an end to fighting, he said, arguing that lasting peace will only be achieved when families can return home and children resume their education.
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