Archive · 31 Jul 2026
20,000 Cambodians Still Displaced Along Thai Border
After fighting last year, more than 650,000 people in Cambodia had to leave their homes near the Thai border.
Now over 20,000 of them still can't go back because some villages are occupied by Thai troops.
A UN expert named Tom Andrews said it is a legal right for people to return home and that Cambodia and Thailand should help them.
Thailand says it is following a ceasefire and denies illegal occupation.
The border is closed, hurting trade.
Cambodia also has a big problem with online scams, so the government shut down 600 scam sites and revoked 29 casino licenses, but hasn't taken action against senior officials linked to the scams.
More than 20,000 Cambodian civilians remain displaced along the Thai border after last year's fighting.
Of the 650,000 displaced at the end of last year, 20,000 still cannot return due to occupied towns and villages.
UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urges Thailand and Cambodia to expedite returns under international law.
Thailand denies illegal occupation, citing a ceasefire; border crossings remain closed, hurting trade.
Cambodia has shut down 600 scam sites and revoked 29 casino licenses, but senior officials linked to scams remain untouched.
- Who
- Tom Andrews, Cambodian civilians, Thai troops
- What
- Displacement of civilians, return under international law, cyber scam crackdown
- When
- After last year's fighting, reported July 31, 2024
- Where
- Cambodian border with Thailand, Phnom Penh
- Why
- International law, ceasefire agreement, economic impact, cybercrime concerns
- Displaced civilians remaining
- 20,000+
- Total displaced at end of last year
- 650,000
- Border crossings closed
- Yes
- Scam sites closed
- 600
- Casino licenses revoked
- 29