AKP Phnom Penh, February 17, 2026 -- Out of more than 640,000 people displaced by Thai military incursions, 74,139 individuals have not yet been able to return to their homes, including 25,372 children, according to a press release issued this afternoon by the Ministry of Interior.

Since the ceasefire came into effect on Dec. 27, 2025, following three weeks of aggressive Thai military attacks on Cambodia’s territory, approximately 570,000 displaced persons, or more than 88 percent, have returned to and reintegrated into their communities.

However, a number of public facilities remain temporarily closed. These include 14 schools and seven hospitals or health centres in Oddar Meanchey province, five schools and one health centre in Banteay Meanchey province, and 29 schools and 14 health centres in Preah Vihear province.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated its full support for the Royal Government’s strongest protest against what it described as continued dishonest activities by Thai armed forces. This follows reports of the recent demolition of additional civilian infrastructure and administrative buildings in Thmar Puok district, as well as the construction of a ditch and road and the filling in of a pond in Chouk Chey village, O’Beichoan commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.

According to the Ministry, these actions contravene the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting dated Dec. 27, 2025, and violate fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the spirit of world peace.

The Ministry also expressed its full support for Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, who has firmly emphasised that the Cambodia-Thailand border is an international border between two sovereign states. He reaffirmed that the Royal Government remains committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of the people – now and in the future – based on international law and existing bilateral agreements, while categorically rejecting any form of territorial occupation through the unlawful use of force.

Finally, the Ministry called on all citizens to remain united in their support for and confidence in the Royal Government’s peaceful resolution of the border issue, in accordance with international law and existing agreements. It urged the public to uphold a shared spirit of resilience, stressing that while the dispute has caused suffering, it should be transformed into a source of national strength and unity rather than division.

By Heng Panha