AKP Phnom Penh, October 20, 2025 --

Life in the Cambodian border villages of Prey Chan and Chork Chey resumed its normal rhythm on Monday, as residents reported no immediate threat or disturbance from Thai military forces, marking a return to calm after weeks of heightened tension.

Despite the current stability, thousands of villagers in O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, remain highly vigilant. While carrying out their daily work, they maintain a unified stance, prepared to support local authorities in defending the territory they have inhabited and fought for over the past four decades.

Prey Chan and Chork Chey are viewed locally as powerful symbols of the resilience and unbroken spirit of the Cambodian people. The settlements were established in the tumultuous 1980s, serving as a refuge for hundreds of families fleeing the civil war that followed the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Governor Oum Reatrey of Banteay Meanchey province confirmed the villages’ demographics: Prey Chan is home to 255 families (737 residents), and Chork Chey to 735 families (2,550 residents). For 40 years, these communities have farmed and lived on land that was once a fierce battleground, heavily contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. They faced years of hardship, scarcity, and shelling until stability gradually emerged following the Paris Peace Agreements of 1991 and the Win-Win Policy in 1998.

On Monday morning, economic activities in both villages were observed operating normally, with villagers focused on agriculture and small-scale trade, the primary sources of livelihood in this border area.

“We never let our guard down, even when it seems quiet,” said Mr. Chea Narin, a determined resident of Prey Chan. “We live our daily lives, but our eyes and hearts are always ready to protect this land — it’s part of us.”

Mrs. Sim Sreynet, a 42-year-old vegetable vendor from Chork Chey, echoed this resolve, recalling both past and recent struggles. “We may have suffered emotionally, but we never gave up. Those struggles made us stronger. We trust the leadership of the Royal Government, the authorities, and our armed forces,” she stated.

The most significant source of hope for the border communities is the anticipated signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. The accord is expected to be finalised in Malaysia at the end of October 2025, following productive four-party talks in Kuala Lumpur that concluded on Oct. 17. 

U.S. President Donald Trump and the Prime Minister of Malaysia are slated to witness the signing.

“We are very happy to hear about this peace agreement,” said Mr. Sok Lim, a 55-year-old farmer from Chork Chey whose rice fields border Thailand. “We hope this will be the end of border tensions so we can live and work in safety and stability without fear of further incursions. If real peace comes, we can rebuild our lives fully.”

The Royal Government of Cambodia reinforced its position on Oct. 19, vowing to reject any agreement that would compromise the nation’s territorial integrity, a commitment that has bolstered villagers’ trust and confidence.

Having endured decades of conflict and threats, Prey Chan and Chork Chey stand as powerful testaments to the endurance of the Cambodian people. Their cautious daily routine reflects a constant readiness to defend their homeland, while the upcoming peace agreement provides a powerful motivation for a future focused on lasting peace and sustainable development.

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