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Cambodia: 625,000 Displaced Have Returned, But Thai Occupation and Cluster Munitions Persist
PHNOM PENH — Oct. 9, 2026: Cambodia has said the Thai military continues its unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory and has not fully implemented key border agreements, even as most displaced citizens have returned home.
In a press release dated Oct. 8, 2026, the Ministry of Interior said that since the signing of the Joint Statement on the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement on Oct. 26, 2025, Thailand has continued actions contrary to international law and has not fully participated in implementing the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee — particularly on starting and accelerating border surveying and demarcation, and ensuring displaced Cambodians can return home.
As of the morning of Oct. 8, 2026, Thai military aggression had displaced approximately 649,000 Cambodian civilians. Around 625,000 have since returned home, while the remainder stay in temporary shelters, safe camps and Waiting Village.
Citing Cambodian Mine Action Centre records, the Ministry said the Thai military used fighter jets and 155mm heavy artillery firing cluster munitions. Approximately 120,000 to 130,000 shells, containing an estimated 6 to 7 million unexploded submunitions, struck Cambodian civilian areas covering nearly 3,000 square kilometres across 335 of 349 affected villages.
On cultural heritage, the Ministry said Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage site, was intentionally targeted at 501 locations, with damage recorded in 562 places. Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Toch, Ta Krabey and Kh'na temples were also damaged. The Ministry said the strikes involved clear planning, coordination and command direction with specific intent to destroy the temple.
Wider damage included 1,558 houses, seven civilian buildings, ten hotels or apartment buildings, four gas stations, one private market, 34 vehicles, 39 cell towers, six water supply facilities, 26 schools, 14 hospitals or health centres, 74 government administrative buildings, 19 pagodas, five bridges, 87 road sections, one market and three electricity transmission lines.
The Ministry said these acts violate international humanitarian law, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the principles prohibiting indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forcible expulsion and transfer of civilians from occupied territory.
The Ministry expressed gratitude for the efforts of the United States Government under President Donald J. Trump, which recently urged both parties to de-escalate and called on Thailand to cease violations of Cambodia's sovereignty, along with contributions from China and other friendly nations. It expressed hope that Thailand will restore good faith, fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement and accelerate border demarcation under the GBC Joint Statement of Dec. 27, 2025.
The Ministry voiced full support for Prime Minister Hun Manet's call for national unity across all political affiliations, trust in Cambodia's soldiers and confidence in the Royal Government's leadership. It noted that on Oct. 8, 2026, the Prime Minister reaffirmed a firm stance on defending territorial integrity and resolving the border issue through international law, diplomacy and existing legal instruments, rejecting any recognition of the use of armed force to occupy territory.
Source: Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Cambodia
Reported by The Khmer Today
