Cambodian Villages Under Siege: The World Cannot Ignore Thailand’s Forced Evictions

Cambodian Villages Under Siege: The World Cannot Ignore Thailand’s Forced Evictions

-Opinion-

In the 21st century—an age that prides itself on human rights and human dignity—it is both shocking and shameful that Thailand is preparing to forcibly evict Cambodian villagers from Chork Chey and Prey Chan. These ancestral Cambodian lands are home to families who have lived, farmed, and protected them for generations. This is not a border misunderstanding—it is a deliberate attempt to erase communities, seize property, and commit a crime against humanity.

Evicting people from their lawful homes is a direct attack on the fundamental rights to life, security, and dignity, rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions, and countless UN resolutions that Thailand has pledged to uphold. By threatening Cambodian villagers, Thailand flagrantly violates international law and reveals a troubling disregard for justice.

Thailand’s actions expose the hollow nature of its claims to be a peace-loving nation. How can peace be proclaimed while aggression is carried out against defenseless civilians? How can it respect ASEAN’s Charter, founded on non-interference and peaceful dispute resolution, while choosing provocation over dialogue?

For the families of Chork Chey and Prey Chan, this is not about lines on a map; it is about survival. Children, farmers, and elders face the loss of homes, fields, and communities. Every eviction order tears lives apart, leaving trauma that history will not forgive. Should these evictions proceed, Thailand alone will bear responsibility for this suffering.

Cambodia has consistently called for peaceful, lawful solutions rooted in international law. The government has urged negotiation, mutual respect, and recognition of historical boundaries. Thailand, however, has chosen unilateral aggression, trampling Cambodia’s sovereignty. Cambodia will never abandon its people. Sovereignty is not negotiable, and the dignity of citizens is not for sale. Thailand must honor humanitarian and international law by resolving border disputes through legal mechanisms, not force. The world must condemn Thailand’s actions.

This is not merely a local issue—it is a global warning. Allowing such evictions sets a dangerous precedent: that the powerful can erase communities with impunity. Cambodia calls on the United Nations, ASEAN, and all defenders of human rights to speak out firmly. The eviction of Chork Chey and Prey Chan must be halted before it becomes another indelible stain on humanity’s conscience. History proves that silence enables injustice. The choice is clear: stand with law, justice, and human dignity—or side with aggression and cruelty.

Thailand must be reminded that in the 21st century, peace cannot be built on the destruction of human lives.

Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.

-Khmer Times-