Bangkok: The Thai Army has issued a strong statement urging Cambodia to accept the reality of its encroachment on Thai territory, a situation that has persisted for over 40 years. The Royal Thai Army emphasized that Thailand was not the instigator of the conflict, responding to the recent report by the UN Special Envoy which involved Thailand in discussions on the Thai-Cambodian border situation.

According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Thai Army, through its spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvari, refuted claims in the End of Mission Statement by Mr. Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Cambodia. The report followed Andrews' visit to Cambodia from July 20-31, 2026. The army clarified that Cambodia has been the party continuously creating conflict, using military force to violate Thai sovereignty, which has impacted Thai citizens' lives and property.

The Thai Army further clarified the facts about displaced persons, rejecting Cambodia's claim of 650,000 displaced individuals as a misrepresentation. Instead, this figure represents Cambodian citizens who sought refuge in temporary shelters to escape potential dangers in conflict zones. Thailand, on its part, had nearly 500,000 citizens displaced, with all returning home following a ceasefire on December 27, 2025.

Furthermore, the army highlighted that only approximately 4,690 Cambodian citizens would be unable to return to their original homes. These individuals resided in areas like Ban Nong Chan, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, and Ban Khlong Phaeng, illegally established within Thai territory with support from the Cambodian government over several decades. Despite attempts to resolve this through administrative laws, Thailand has faced a lack of cooperation from Cambodia.

The issue of Cambodian workers returning to their country was also addressed. Contrary to claims that 900,000 workers were forced to return, the Thai government confirmed that these workers returned voluntarily, encouraged by the Cambodian government itself. The well-being of Cambodian workers in Thailand has always been a priority for the Thai government.

The Thai Army's spokesperson reiterated the need for Cambodia to address these issues genuinely and urged the United Nations to ensure impartiality in its reports, urging the presentation of verified information from both sides rather than a one-sided narrative.