AKP Phnom Penh, August 23, 2026 --

The deployment of 44 shipping containers by the Thai military across 14 locations in the Boeung Trakoun Border Checkpoint area of Banteay Meanchey province has prevented 7,873 Cambodian civilians, or 1,869 families, including 1,847 children, from returning to their homes, according to the Ministry of National Defence.

The figures were recorded during a field visit by the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) on Sunday, coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG).

Led by the AOT-KH Head of Mission from the Philippines, the team visited the area in Kouk Romiet commune, Thmor Pouk district, to observe, verify and report on the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border and inspect the deployment of the shipping containers.

The Ministry said the situation continues to affect thousands of Cambodian civilians who remain unable to return to their homes.

It reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to ensuring that displaced civilians can return to their communities safely, peacefully and with dignity, in line with existing agreements, particularly Point 4 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025.

Cambodia also reaffirmed its position that the Cambodia-Thailand international border must be addressed on the basis of the boundary established by the Indochina-Siam Boundary Commission and in accordance with international law, including the principle of the intangibility of inherited borders (Uti Possidetis Juris).

The Ministry further stressed Cambodia's respect for the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, relevant maps and boundary demarcation records, as well as the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR), and other agreements and documents previously agreed upon by the two countries.

Cambodia, it said, does not recognise any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force or illegal territorial occupation through the creation of a fait accompli on the ground.

The Cambodian side will continue to formally protest against unilateral or abusive actions that affect Cambodia's legitimate territorial integrity.

By C. Nika