At a press conference on the morning of January 5, 2026, government spokesperson unit head Pen Bona said Thai troops had enclosed large amounts of Cambodian residents’ land and homes, were continuing to destroy them, and were lawlessly looting their property. He characterised the placement of containers and barbed wire around Cambodian homes and land, and the theft of civilians’ belongings, as violations of international law and the international boundary.
Pen Bona said these actions had caused severe losses and damage to property and civilian infrastructure and obstructed displaced civilians’ return home, contrary to the spirit of point 4 of the December 27, 2025 joint statement. He said thousands of homes in Chok Chey, Prey Chan and Boeng Trakuon had been enclosed by Thai troops. Banteay Meanchey governor Oum Reatrey said the border villages and areas had been almost entirely destroyed by Thai gunfire and shells. Containers and barbed wire enclosed the land and homes of 707 families in Chok Chey, while 70% of Prey Chan was also enclosed. The Boeng Trakuon area, comprising four villages covering 292 hectares and home to 1,479 families, was likewise enclosed.
By: Nget Pisant
