The Royal Thai Army responded to Tom Andrews' report, emphasizing that Thailand did not initiate the conflict. It clarified that the claim of 650,000 displaced persons distorts the facts and noted that only 4,690 Cambodian residents cannot return to their original homes. The Army urged that information should be presented in a balanced manner.
On 4 August 2026, Major General Winthai Suwaree, the Army spokesperson, provided clarification regarding the news report about the End of Mission Statement by Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. Following his visit to Cambodia from 20 to 31 July 2026, Andrews mentioned Thailand in the context of the Thai-Cambodian border situation.
Major General Winthai stressed that Thailand did not initiate the conflict; rather, it was Cambodia that continuously created conflict in all forms over the past period, especially through the use of weapons and military forces violating Thai sovereignty. This affected the lives and property of Thai citizens extensively. The situation forced Thailand to respond in self-defense according to international principles to prevent harm to civilians on both sides near the border. Consequently, relocations to temporary shelters or evacuation centers for people from both countries were necessary.
The claim of 650,000 displaced persons is a distortion of the facts.
Regarding the figure of displaced persons, Cambodia's claim of as many as 650,000 people is a complete distortion. In reality, that number represents the total number of Cambodians who temporarily relocated to avoid possible dangers in the conflict zone. Thailand also had nearly 500,000 of its own citizens relocated to evacuation centers. Currently, these people have returned to their normal residences following the ceasefire on 27 December 2025.
Only 4,690 Cambodians cannot return to their original homes.
Concerning the Cambodians unable to return to their original residences, the factual number is approximately 4,690 people. These individuals lived before the conflict in three areas: Ban Nong Jan with 500 households (1,040 people), Ban Nong Ya Kaew with 60 households (150 people), and Ban Khlong Paeng with 389 households (3,500 people).
Some of these are Cambodians who have illegally encroached and settled in Thai sovereign territory for over 40 years, with support from the Cambodian government. Over time, Thailand has attempted to resolve the issue through the MOU 43 mechanism and local administrative laws but has not received cooperation from Cambodia.
Confirms that 900,000 Cambodian workers returned home voluntarily.
Regarding the Cambodian workers returning home, the Special Rapporteur claimed 900,000 workers had returned. The Army confirmed these workers returned voluntarily following invitations from the Cambodian government. The Thai government emphasizes its ongoing commitment to the welfare of Cambodian workers in Thailand.
The Army spokesperson emphasized that Cambodia must now acknowledge the problem and earnestly care for its citizens instead of communicating distorted information internationally to damage Thailand's image by exploiting the people's suffering. The Army expects the United Nations' special mechanisms to present balanced, jointly verified information from both sides, rather than information originating from only one party.