Cambodia Reports 18,650 Still Displaced as Thai Occupation Continues; Backs UNCLOS Conciliation

PHNOM PENH, September 14, 2026 – More than 18,650 Cambodians, including over 9,400 women and 6,000 children, remain unable to return to their homes due to continued Thai military occupation of civilian areas, according to a Ministry of Interior update released Monday.

The Ministry stated that Thailand has not fully implemented the December 27, 2025 ceasefire agreement. Out of more than 640,000 people displaced during the conflict, the 18,650 still stranded are prevented from returning by Thai forces occupying their villages and destroying homes and property after the ceasefire. The Ministry described these actions as serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Preliminary assessments also document widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure. Private property damage includes over 1,500 houses, 10 hotels, 34 vehicles, and 39 cell towers. Public damage includes 26 schools, 14 health centres, 74 government buildings, 19 pagodas, and 4 ancient temples. The continued closure of 15 schools and 7 health facilities in three border provinces has deprived citizens of education and healthcare.

In a related development, the Ministry expressed strong support for the first meeting of the Conciliation Commission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) between Cambodia and Thailand, taking place from September 14 to 16 in Singapore under Chair Ms. Katrina Cooper. The Ministry said it hopes the meeting will lead to a peaceful resolution of the maritime boundary dispute.

On the land boundary, Cambodia reiterated its legal position that continuous protest by the sovereign prevents an unlawful occupier from acquiring title. It reaffirmed its non-recognition of any boundary alteration by force and called on Thailand to fully implement the December 2025 Joint Statement and accelerate demarcation work through the Joint Boundary Commission.

— Source: Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, 14 September 2026

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Reported by The Khmer Today