Border evacuees' return held off by Ad Hoc Centre until safety guarantees are in place.
In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of displaced persons, Thai authorities have decided to halt the return of evacuees from temporary shelters in the seven border provinces adjacent to Cambodia. This decision was made during a meeting led by Chamnanwit Terat, Director of the Ad Hoc Centre, which is responsible for managing the Thailand-Cambodia border situation [1].
The Ad Hoc Centre, in a directive issued on Tuesday, requested provincial governors to advise evacuees to remain in shelters pending official clearance. The centre emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards of protection and care for displaced persons [1].
The border tensions stem from an escalation of clashes that began in late July 2025, following a landmine explosion that wounded Thai soldiers. This was followed by artillery exchanges, rocket fire, and airstrikes between Thai and Cambodian forces across multiple locations along the disputed border [2][3][4].
Both Thai and Cambodian militaries have accused each other of escalating the conflict by using heavy weaponry, including artillery and rockets. Thailand responded with airstrikes after Cambodia allegedly launched truck-mounted rockets near sensitive sites such as the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear temple [2][4].
In response to the conflict, diplomatic relations have been downgraded by both sides, border crossings sealed, and national evacuations organised. Thai authorities continue to manage displaced populations carefully, emphasising security before any return to their homes is allowed [1].
As of early August 2025, some provinces have begun closing evacuation centers while others still accommodate evacuees. For instance, Buri Ram province has five centers open with 254 evacuees remaining, whereas Surin, Sa Kaeo, Trat, and Chanthaburi provinces have closed their centers [5].
Despite the ceasefire terms agreed upon by both Thai and Cambodian authorities (set to start in late July), sporadic clashes and political tensions remain high. The Ad Hoc Centre’s stance to withhold evacuees’ return until full safety is secured reflects a cautious and security-first approach by Thailand to avoid further harm to civilians [1][3].
The Ad Hoc Centre, in a security-first approach, is advising evacuees to remain in shelters until official clearance, hinting at the ongoing political tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Amidst the strained relations, both business and general news are closely monitoring the developments at the Thailand-Cambodia border, as the awaited ceasefire seems insufficient to quell the conflicts.
