More than half a million people have been forced to flee their homes in Thailand and Cambodia as renewed border conflicts escalate, according to statements from both governments. This recent wave of evacuations has already surpassed the totals recorded during earlier skirmishes this year.
Thai defense ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri announced in a press conference that over 400,000 individuals have been relocated to safe shelters in seven provinces. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing an “imminent threat to their safety,” and mentioned the government’s desire to prevent repeat occurrences of the civilian attacks suffered during the previous crisis in July 2025.
In Cambodia, the situation mirrors that of its neighbor, with 101,229 individuals reported to have been evacuated to safe locations, including homes of relatives, across five provinces as of Tuesday evening. Defense ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata confirmed these numbers, underscoring the severity of the humanitarian impact.
The ongoing conflict is rooted in a territorial dispute that dates back to colonial times, specifically concerning the demarcation of the 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Competing claims over historic temples have led to violent clashes, further exacerbating tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations.
The current fighting, which has been described as the deadliest since a five-day confrontation in July—resulting in dozens of fatalities and displacing approximately 300,000 individuals—has raised alarms. Following that earlier conflict, a fragile truce was reached with the involvement of then-U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the present hostilities have reignited fierce exchanges, with both countries accusing one another of provoking the renewed violence.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, reports indicate that clashes have now spread across five provinces in both Thailand and Cambodia, exacerbating fears of prolonged instability in the region. The humanitarian crisis demands urgent attention, as hundreds of thousands seek refuge and safety amid this renewed conflict.
