Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) - Situation Report 9: Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation (17th October 2025)

This report is produced by Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 4 - 17 October.

Situation and Impact

Two weeks after the early October peak in displacement (16,049 people on 2 October), the humanitarian situation along the Cambodia–Thailand border continues to stabilize. From 4 October to 16 October, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) declined from 15,295 to 12,820, representing a 16% decrease. Daily figures show a consistent downward trend, with sharper reductions after 12 October, indicating accelerated returns to areas of origin reported by National Committee Disaster Management (NCDM). Most IDPs remain in 25 displacement sites, while others are hosted by relatives. Returns are concentrated in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, and Oddar Meanchey, supported by improved access and gradual reopening of markets and basic services. Meanwhile the number of economic migrants returning from Thailand increased slightly, from 886,546 people according to the National Committee for Counter Trafficking on 30 September, to 890,408 on 13 October, a growing concern as weeks passes with a reduced or no income for these vulnerable families dependent on wages previously earned in Thailand.
Security conditions remain stable with no major incidents reported. However, UXO contamination continues to restrict movement and livelihoods in pockets of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, though risk education and clearance activities are ongoing. Despite positive trends, economic vulnerability persists among returnees and migrant households, with depleted savings and limited income opportunities.

Diplomatic developments include the postponement of the Cambodia–Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting originally scheduled for 15–17 October, now replaced by an RBC Secretariat meeting on 17 October to maintain momentum on ceasefire implementation and bilateral cooperation.
Based on the HRF-NCDM joint multi-sectoral early recovery assessment findings and priority intervention recommendations, humanitarian partners under the Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF), in close coordination with the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), continue to support vulnerable households in remaining displacement sites. At the same time, they are planning and implementing early recovery responses for displaced families returning to their areas of origin, as well as for returning migrant households.