Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Cambodia's Waiting Village Reflects Border War's Lasting Human Cost
Many families in Cambodia had to leave their homes because of fighting near the Thai border.
They now live in a place called Rong Cham, or the “Waiting Village.”
More than 3,000 houses have been built there.
The families have waited nine months since a ceasefire to return home.
Sam, a tattoo artist, used to have many customers at his old shop.
Now he has fewer customers and does other jobs to support his family.
Cambodia says Thai military positions are inside Cambodian territory, but Thailand denies illegally occupying land.
People are still worried that fighting could happen again.
More than 3,000 homes have been built at Rong Cham, a resettlement site known as the “Waiting Village.”
Families displaced by Cambodia-Thailand border fighting remain unable to return nine months after a ceasefire.
Tattooist Cheng Bora, known as Sam, lost customers after his former shop became inaccessible.
Sam now works from home and takes plumbing, electrical, and construction jobs to earn money.
More than 20,000 people reportedly remain displaced, while Thailand and Cambodia disagree over territory and responsibility.
- Who
- Families displaced by Cambodia-Thailand border fighting, including tattooist Cheng Bora, known as Sam, remain at Rong Cham.
- What
- Residents are waiting to return home after fighting forced them into resettlement, while Sam struggles with the loss of his tattoo business.
- When
- The fighting began in July 2025, flared again in December, and families remained displaced nine months after the ceasefire.
- Where
- Rong Cham, a 400-hectare resettlement site in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, near the Cambodia-Thailand border.
- Why
- Residents fled fighting, and access to their former homes remains restricted because border crossings are closed and the territorial dispute continues.
Cambodian Authorities' View
Thailand's View
Territory and military positions
Cambodian Authorities' View
Cambodian authorities, citing Tom Andrews, say Thai military positions are inside territory Phnom Penh considers Cambodian.
Thailand's View
Thailand denies illegally occupying Cambodian territory and says it is following a bilateral ceasefire agreement.
Responsibility for displaced people
Cambodian Authorities' View
Cambodia highlights that more than 20,000 people remain unable to return home and need support.
Thailand's View
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was up to the Cambodian government to care for citizens affected by the fighting.
- Resettlement site
- Rong Cham covers 400 hectares and contains more than 3,000 houses.
- Displaced population
- Cambodian authorities say more than 20,000 people still cannot return home.
- Conflict timing
- Fighting erupted in July 2025 and flared again in December before a ceasefire.
- Sam’s former business
- He ran a tattoo shop at Boeung Trakuon, a busy trade crossing point.
- Sam’s current work
- He tattoos customers from a small house and also works as a plumber, electrician, and construction worker.
- Border access
- Border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand remain closed.
- Family separation
- Sam’s nine-year-old daughter lives with him, while his adult son remains in Thailand with other family.