AKP Phnom Penh, August 29, 2025 --

Families displaced by recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand are pleading for peace, sharing their harrowing experiences with international journalists who visited a temporary shelter in Preah Vihear province.

On Aug. 28 afternoon, a group of journalists visited Wat Po 5,000 Pagoda, where thousands of residents have sought refuge from the fighting. 

Many became emotional as they described fleeing their homes under heavy artillery shelling and airstrikes.

"We are elderly and have already survived one war," said one evacuee, who broke into tears. "We don't want to see or hear these tragedies again—orphans, widows, people disabled by war. Cambodia needs peace, not war."

Mrs. Van Kimyan, 63, from Techo Thamacheat village, described the terror of the initial fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops. "Border residents were terrified, especially those of us who once endured the sound of war in the past," she said. "I appeal to ASEAN and the international community to intervene quickly so that people can return to their homes and end this conflict. Cambodians do not want war."

She stressed that the bombardments had hit civilian homes, killing innocent people and devastating families. "We beg Thailand to stop violating Cambodia’s territory. We call on the international community to help Cambodia," she said, her voice filled with emotion. 

"Cambodians have suffered wars before—please do not inflict more suffering. Our children cannot study, our families have no peace. We yearn for peace and abhor war."

Mr. Vong Savoeun, 72, from Sen Chey village, shared a similar account. "We once lived peacefully with our families, but when the border fighting erupted, many villagers fled to safety," he said. "I escaped the war to protect my family from danger. Before the conflict, we lived in peace. I hope stability will return soon so that we can go back to our homes and rebuild our lives."

He urged ASEAN, the United Nations, and the international community to act quickly to resolve the crisis and ensure Thailand respects the recent ceasefire agreement brokered in the presence of the United States, China, and Malaysia

According to Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Mr. Nop Vuthy, provincial authorities, in coordination with the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Cambodian Red Cross, and other partners, are providing aid to the displaced population. He reported that there are currently 15 displacement camps across the province, sheltering around 20,000 people.

At the Wat Po 5,000 Pagoda alone, about 2,000 families—roughly 7,000 people from six border villages—are in temporary shelters.

The recent clashes broke out on July 24 morning at Tamone Thom Temple in Oddar Meanchey province, before spreading to other areas along the frontier. 

By K. Rithy Reak