Cambodia’s human rights chief has rejected claims that building temporary shelters for displaced residents amounts to recognising a loss of territory to Thailand.
Keo Remy, president of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, said suggestions circulating online were misleading. Writing on Facebook, he said land and homes allegedly seized by Thai troops remain Cambodian territory, and that the government has a duty to seek their return.
At the same time, he said, authorities must consider the immediate needs of displaced families, especially with the rainy season approaching.
Keo Remy said the government has repeatedly issued statements rejecting what it describes as unlawful incursions by Thai forces. He added that Cambodia is using diplomatic and legal channels to press its claims and seek the return of affected land and property.
He stressed that reclaiming territory is not a simple or short-term matter. If the process takes time, he said, the government cannot leave displaced citizens living under plastic tarpaulins for years or decades. Children, he noted, also require stable facilities for schooling.
“All Cambodians feel pain over the incursions,” he wrote, adding that leaders at every level are working without pause, including on public holidays, to address the situation and safeguard both territory and public welfare.
In late January 2026, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction convened a meeting to identify sites for temporary housing for families who lost their homes along the border after Thai troops allegedly occupied the areas.
Land Management Minister Say Sam Al said the designated sites are intended for residents who cannot yet return home, as well as for those currently staying in short-term safety centres while awaiting an opportunity to go back.
However, the shelter plan has drawn criticism on social media. Some users argue that establishing new housing sites could signal de facto acceptance of territorial loss.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai forces had unlawfully occupied 14 locations across four provinces. These include three areas in Banteay Meanchey, two in Pursat, three in Preah Vihear, and six in Oddar Meanchey.
Opposition figures dispute that number. They claim that during a 21-day conflict with Thailand, Cambodia lost more than 40 positions, affecting more than 110,000 people who, they say, have lost land, property, and homes.
The dispute underscores the broader tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, where humanitarian needs and questions of sovereignty have become closely intertwined.
