Cambodia marked the first anniversary of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration with Thailand on Monday, with Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirming that all boundary disputes must be settled exclusively through peaceful means and international law, The Khmer Today and The Khmer Daily Network reported. In a statement posted on social media, Hun Manet said Cambodia still adheres to the spirit of the declaration — also called the KL Peace Accords — and named the Regional Border Committee, the General Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) as the bilateral mechanisms for working through border issues.

Source: The Khmer Today, Oct 26

The declaration was signed on October 26, 2025, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur by Hun Manet and then Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the 2025 ASEAN summits. Hun Manet thanked both leaders for their roles in achieving the accords and their continued support for a peaceful resolution. The agreement followed armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces from July 24 to 28, 2025, which caused military and civilian losses on both sides.

Source: The Khmer Daily Network, Oct 26

20,923 people still displaced, Oxfam says

On the same day, Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar called for urgent and sustained support for displaced Cambodian families after visiting communities in Oddar Meanchey province on October 22, including families at sites known as Waiting Village. Citing Cambodian Ministry of Interior press releases of July 7 and October 22, 2026, Oxfam said approximately 625,000 displaced people have returned home, while 20,923 people — including 10,674 women and 6,066 children — remain displaced in temporary relocation sites.

Source: Oxfam in Cambodia, Oct 26

625,000Displaced people Oxfam said have returned home, citing Cambodia's Ministry of Interior
20,923People still displaced, including 10,674 women and 6,066 children (Oxfam / Ministry of Interior figures)

Oxfam said many families cannot return because their homes are in a disputed area it described as currently occupied by Thai authorities, and because of unexploded ordnance in their villages — that description is Oxfam's and Cambodia's framing, and Thailand's position on the disputed stretches differs. A rapid assessment by Oxfam and partners in October across Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey found families had lost homes, livestock and farming equipment, with access to farmland restricted in some areas and clean water among the most urgent needs.

Source: Oxfam in Cambodia, Oct 26

"While the ceasefire has brought hope and ended the immediate violence, the crisis is far from over for thousands of families," Behar said. Oxfam urged national authorities, regional institutions and development partners to invest in livelihoods, safe access to land and long-term recovery so families can return safely and rebuild with dignity.

Source: Oxfam in Cambodia, Oct 26

What is solid

  • Hun Manet marked the KL declaration's first anniversary on Oct 26 and reaffirmed peaceful settlement through the RBC, GBC and JBC mechanisms (Khmer Today; Khmer Daily Network; prime minister's published statement)
  • Oxfam, citing Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, put returns at about 625,000 with 20,923 people still displaced (Oxfam)

What is only claimed

  • Why some families cannot return — Oxfam/Cambodia cite homes in a disputed area described as occupied by Thai authorities and unexploded ordnance; the boundary itself remains disputed and Thailand's account of the disputed stretches differs