CHRC Chief Says Temporary Shelters Do Not Signal Acceptance of Territorial Loss
CHRC Chief Says Temporary Shelters Do Not Signal Acceptance of Territorial Loss
PHNOM PENH, Feb 17, 2026 — Cambodia has formally rejected what it described as a territorial incursion by Thai military forces and is pursuing diplomatic and legal measures to reclaim disputed land and property, a senior Cambodian official said on Monday.
Keo Remy, head of the Cambodia Human Rights Committee (CHRC), said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page that the Royal Government of Cambodia had issued repeated formal letters refusing to recognize what he called “the use of force by the Thai military to encroach on Cambodian territory.”
“The government has been and continues to use all mechanisms, both diplomatic and legal, to demand the return of land and homes,” he said.
Keo Remy added that efforts to reclaim territory cannot be resolved within a short period and require careful consideration of the welfare of displaced residents.
He said the construction of temporary shelters for affected families should not be interpreted as recognition of any territorial loss, rejecting criticism from opposition-leaning commentators. “Land and homes must be reclaimed,” he said, adding that authorities are working to ensure displaced people have adequate living conditions ahead of the rainy season.
He said government leaders at all levels were actively addressing the situation.
Thailand has not immediately commented on the remarks.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions along parts of the Cambodia–Thailand border, though details of the specific location and timeline of the alleged incident were not provided.
