Thailand Rejects UN Special Rapporteur's Statement on Human Rights in Cambodia

The Thai government has rejected a statement by the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia, saying Bangkok did not initiate the conflict between the two countries, national media Thai PBS World reported. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews had implied in a statement earlier this week that Bangkok was responsible for starting the armed conflict and its impact on Cambodian civilians. The ministry stressed that Thailand did not start the conflict, saying it resulted from ‘indiscriminate’ attacks by the Cambodian side that ‘targeted civilian areas in Thailand,’ the television station reported. At a press conference in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, Andrews said around 650,000 Cambodian civilians fled border areas late last year, with more than 20,000 still unable to return to their homes. Andrews said he had spoken to civilians who could not return because their villages and towns were ‘now occupied by Thai soldiers.’ He added that ‘it is a matter of international law that those displaced by armed conflict have the right to return to their homes.’ Responding to Andrews’ statement, Bangkok said some of those described as internally displaced persons (IDPs) are Cambodian nationals. They had been living in Thai territory, which was previously opened to provide them temporary shelter under a humanitarian assistance programme in the late 1970s. When conditions in Cambodia later improved, these Cambodians did not return to their country despite repeated requests by Thailand, the ministry said, adding that they therefore do not fall within the definition of IDPs. It added that the right of return must not be exploited for ‘political or propaganda purposes, but must be upheld alongside genuine humanitarian concern and principles.’ The Cambodian government has the responsibility to care for its citizens affected by the conflict and displaced within Cambodia, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thailand is ready to rebuild relations with Cambodia, but such efforts require sincere and earnest cooperation from Phnom Penh, the statement said. Dozens were killed and tens of thousands displaced during the fighting in 2025 before the two countries signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 2025 in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Although the fighting has stopped, tensions remain along the border, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of occupying parts of its territory.