AKP Phnom Penh, August 29, 2025 -- 

A group of foreign journalists from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, as well as Cambodian reporters continued their field reporting mission on Friday in Prey Chan and Chork Chey villages, O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, where Thai troops have been accused of encroaching upon Cambodian land and seizing villagers’ homes despite the official ceasefire agreement.

The visit followed earlier missions to temples, schools, health centres, and other sites in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, that had suffered destruction from Thai artillery shelling and aerial bombings in recent clashes. 

During their mission in Banteay Meanchey province, the journalists received a warm welcome from H.E. Oum Reatrey, Governor of Banteay Meanchey. 

He briefed the visiting media on Thai military violations, stressing that Cambodian civilians had been forcibly evicted from their homes in blatant disregard of international law, humanitarian principles, and the ceasefire agreement.

The governor highlighted the most recent violation on Aug. 25, when Thai forces attempted to occupy Cambodian villagers’ sugarcane fields in Chork Chey village. However, he underscored that the incursion was repelled peacefully after local residents, together with their fellow villagers, stood firm and pushed the Thai troops back without confrontation.

The field mission was organised by the Ministry of Information under the leadership of H.E. Tep Asnarith, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson of the Ministry, as part of the regional workshop on “Safety and Risk Management in Conflict Reporting” taking place from Aug. 28 to 31, 2025.

Accompanied by on-site field visits, the workshop provided participating journalists with deeper insight into reporting under conditions of tension and border conflict, while also serving as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices.

It should be noted that following the opening session on Aug. 28, international journalists visited the temporary shelter at Wat Po 5000 pagoda in O’ Doun Snguon area, Kulen Thbong commune, Kulen district, Preah Vihear province, where they interviewed provincial authorities and displaced families.

The Asian journalists further examined conflict-affected sites in Samrong city’s Pa Ong village, where 105mm, 127mm, and 155mm artillery shells had struck civilian communities, and in Thmar Doun village, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey, where a one-tonne MK-84 bomb dropped by a Thai F-16 fighter jet damaged civilian homes.

By K. Rithy Reak