Responses Regarding Thai Claims on Cambodian Displaced Persons and Other Acts of Aggression in the Border Areas March 29, 2026
Responses Regarding Thai Claims on Cambodian Displaced Persons and Other Acts of Aggression in the Border Areas March 29, 2026
Cambodia PR Team Responses Regarding Thai Claims on Cambodian Displaced Persons and Other Acts of Aggression in the Border Areas
March 29, 2026
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– Q1: Is the Thai side’s claim that the number of affected Cambodians is only a few thousand and that they are all intruders into Thai sovereign territory true?
– A: Such claims are incorrect and constitute a complete distortion of information. In fact, out of the total of over 640,000 displaced Cambodian civilians, there remain 35,124 people (including 18,237 women and 11,665 children) who have not yet been able to return to their homes due to obstruction caused by the Thai military.
More importantly, these civilians are not intruders into Thai territory; rather, they are homeowners, landowners, and residents who have lived in those areas for a very long time. Thailand’s assertion that these people are intruders is intended to cover up its violations and to mislead the public into believing that what it is doing is legal. Such deception is not only a terrible lie but also undermines the fundamental principles of humanitarianism and human rights, as these are civilians who were forced to leave their homes due to armed conflict.
– Q2: Can the placement of barbed wire and shipping containers on Cambodian territory by the Thai side be considered a security measure in accordance with the Joint Statement, as claimed by the spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army?
– A: The installation of barbed wire and shipping containers by the Thai side cannot be considered a security measure in accordance with the Joint Statement, as claimed by the spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army. According to the Joint Statement of 27 December 2025, the principle of “maintaining current position” was clearly established, with the aim of creating a ceasefire and preventing any changes that could escalate tensions. However, the actions of the Thai side in placing barbed wire, shipping containers, and carrying out various additional constructions constitute a change to the situation on the ground. These are not ordinary or temporary security measures as claimed, but rather an attempt to create a fait accompli on the ground.
Furthermore, these actions directly affect the livelihoods of Cambodian civilians by preventing them from returning to their homes. This demonstrates that it is not merely a matter of military security but a violation of human rights that cannot be overlooked. More importantly, the Thai side’s continued implementation of measures contrary to the ceasefire undermines trust and the spirit of cooperation between the two parties, which could pose serious risks to stability along the border and lead to a renewed escalation of tensions.
– Q3: What is Cambodia’s view on the Thai side’s claim that its troop presence abides by the principles of the General Border Committee (GBC)?
– A: Cambodia fully supports the use of bilateral mechanisms, such as the General Border Committee (GBC), to resolve border issues peacefully and in accordance with international law. However, the claim that the presence of Thai troops is an implementation of the GBC’s guiding principles cannot be used as a pretext to maintain military presence or carry out any acts of aggression that could alter the status quo on the ground.
In fact, the spirit of the ceasefire and other related agreements focuses on reducing tensions and maintaining the status quo, not on expanding military presence or undertaking actions that could affect the situation. Therefore, the Thai side’s claim regarding respect for the principles of the General Border Committee (GBC) reveals a stark contradiction between its words and its actions, and amounts to nothing more than a deception of the public.
