Phnom Penh: Thomas Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, has responded and expressed his reaction to the Thai government regarding his statement on the situation of Cambodian refugees.
Recently, Thomas Andrews Visited the border and Cambodian refugees. After visiting the actual situation, Thomas Andrews also held a press conference to express his interest in his own statement on the human rights situation in Cambodia, especially on refugees. However, the government expressed its dissatisfaction with Thomas Andrews’ actions.
In this case, via Facebook on August 7, 2026, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia welcomed comments on his statement, including from the Thai government. He said that was why he had sent a preliminary draft of a part of the statement regarding the border dispute to the Thai government two days before it was released, including the part about the displacement of Cambodians. While he had not received a response to that communication, he remained open and willing to discuss the Thai government’s views.
He said Thai officials have publicly disputed his claims about the estimated 650,000 Cambodians displaced by the conflict, including his assertion that some of those displaced were living on Thai soil. While Thailand’s position has been noted, he said the figures he cited for refugees were taken from a United Nations report and that the reference to those displaced was based on human rights concerns, not on disputed territorial claims. He noted that he would complete his report to the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Cambodia next month and would contact the Thai government again when he prepared that report. He hopes to discuss with Thai officials their views before his report is published.
He stressed that a swift and peaceful resolution of the border dispute was essential, as doing so would allow people to return to their homes, live in a stable and secure environment, and benefit from the economic opportunities that cross-border trade could offer.
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