Phnom penh: An additional 2,699 displaced people returned to their respective homes today following the ceasefire on Dec. 27, 2025, but some 80,000 others remain in camps, according to the Ministry of Interior. The ministry reported that nearly 88 percent of the more than 640,000 displaced persons have managed to return home, yet a significant number continue to stay in camps.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, all displaced people wish to return to their homes; however, many are unable to do so because their houses have been heavily destroyed or contaminated with unexploded ordnance during Thailand's military invasion from Dec. 7 to 27 last year. The invasion resulted in the destruction of villagers' homes and the blocking of roads with barbed wire, containers, and other obstacles, leaving many areas damaged.
In response to these acts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia has released a press statement strongly protesting against Thailand's actions. The press release, made public on Wednesday evening, reported that additional civilian infrastructure and administrative buildings have been demolished in the Boeung Trakuon area, located between Boundary Pillars No. 33 and 36 in Thmar Puok district.
In Chouk Chey village, O'Beichoan commune, O'Chrov district, situated between Boundary Pillars No. 46 and 47, there have been reports of a ditch and a road being constructed and a pond filled in. These actions, which have significantly altered the geographical terrain of the area, are described as an attempt to legitimize the unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory. They reportedly contravene several international agreements, including the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee Meeting of Dec. 27, 2025, as well as the Agreed Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission of Oct. 22, 2025.