Story perspectives

UN urges Thailand, Cambodia to return displaced civilians, curb scams

7/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged Thailand and Cambodia to cooperate under international law to return civilians and warned that crossings deepen hardship for communities.
He said 650,000 Cambodians were displaced in 2025 and that villages are now occupied by Thai soldiers.
He called for accountability of those linked to scams, noting that over 600 scam centres were shut, 29 casino licences revoked, and opposition leader Kem Sokha lacks rights.

History

Historical Context

Vietnam’s December 1978 invasion seized Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979, ending Khmer Rouge rule and sparking a mass flight. By 1980 over 500,000 Cambodians lived in makeshift camps along the Thai border, with more than one million refugees in Thailand overall. UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews’ 2025 warning that 650,000 Cambodians remain displaced reflects the lingering border dispute born from that 1979 collapse.

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Story summary

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged Thailand and Cambodia to cooperate under international law to return civilians and warned that crossings deepen hardship for communities.
He said 650,000 Cambodians were displaced in 2025 and that villages are now occupied by Thai soldiers.
He called for accountability of those linked to scams, noting that over 600 scam centres were shut, 29 casino licences revoked, and opposition leader Kem Sokha lacks rights.

1 / 2