AKP Phnom Penh, October 06, 2025 --

Villagers in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province have reaffirmed their firm stance that they will not move out of their homes despite threats from Thai military forces ordering them to vacate the area by Oct. 7, 2025.

Residents of Chork Chey and Prey Chan villages in O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district have pledged to remain on their land, framing the Oct. 7, 2025, deadline as an act of aggression. The community has expressed strong confidence in the Royal Government of Cambodia to secure a peaceful resolution.

“We will die on our motherland,” declared the villagers, a statement underscoring the deep resentment sparked by the eviction threats and their strengthened determination to resist.

The ultimatum was issued by Thailand's 1st Army Area, which stated it would postpone a critical Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting scheduled for Oct. 10-12 unless Cambodia submitted a plan to evacuate these and other contested areas by Oct. 7. The Thai army asserts its approach is intended to ensure "effective and tangible results" from border talks.

The standoff highlights a long-standing dispute over undemarcated border territory. 

Mrs. Chum Thin, a 71-year-old resident of Prey Chan village, spoke emotionally on Oct. 5 afternoon, detailing her family’s generational ties to the area.

“Why do the Thai soldiers dare to invade and seize our land like this?” she questioned. “We will never leave under their threats. We would rather die on our ancestral land. Cambodian soil must remain inhabited by Cambodians.”

Her neighbour, 66-year-old Mr. Chum Pov, echoed the commitment to stay, refusing to dismantle his home. He voiced full support for the Cambodian 5th Military Region's decision to reject the Thai request for relocation and appealed to the international community to ensure justice for Cambodians facing cross-border intimidation.

The community’s resolve has drawn support from across Cambodia. Mrs. Vorn Kheng, a citizen from Siem Reap province visiting the area, expressed outrage over the perceived violation of sovereignty, declaring, "If I could hold a gun, I would fight against those enemies who covet Cambodian territory.” 

Separately, Buddhist monks and residents from Battambang province urged the Thai side to respect the ceasefire agreement, release the 18 Cambodian soldiers under Thai custody, and immediately cease actions that infringe upon Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

In an official letter dated Oct. 4, 2025, the Cambodian 5th Military Region declined to prepare an evacuation plan, insisting that the issue must be resolved through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the official bilateral mechanism for survey and demarcation work.

Cambodia’s position is anchored in existing bilateral agreements. The Royal Government maintains that the Regional Border Committee (RBC), which the Thai side is leveraging, is only authorised to address local incidents and de-escalate tensions, and does not have the mandate to determine or alter the boundary line.

The Cambodian military’s response reaffirmed its commitment to respecting established mechanisms, awaiting JBC deliberation, and maintaining a positive environment.

Article in Khmer by Chhun Sarath
Article in English by K. Rithy Reak