BANGKOK, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected key findings contained in the End of Mission Statement issued by Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, arguing that the assessment regarding the Cambodia–Thailand border situation did not adequately reflect facts from all parties and should be based on verified and impartial information.

The ministry's statement, released on Aug. 1, came in response to media coverage of Andrews' end-of-mission statement following his official visit to Cambodia from July 20 to July 31, 2026, during which he raised concerns about the humanitarian and human rights impacts of tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

Thailand said it had taken note of the Special Rapporteur's observations but reiterated that the border conflict did not originate from the Thai side.

"Thailand reaffirms that the conflict, which has caused significant humanitarian consequences, was not initiated by Thailand but resulted from indiscriminate attacks by the Cambodian side targeting civilian areas in Thailand," the Foreign Ministry said.

 

Thailand disputes references to internally displaced persons,  The ministry also challenged the Special Rapporteur's reference to approximately 650,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Cambodia.

According to Thailand, part of that figure includes Cambodian nationals who had previously lived in temporary shelters established by Thailand during the humanitarian crisis in the late 1970s.

The ministry said that although conditions later improved, those individuals did not return to Cambodia despite repeated formal representations by the Thai government.

"Thailand therefore considers these individuals to be illegal occupants of Thai territory and not persons falling under the definition of internally displaced persons (IDPs)," the statement said.

 

Thailand further argued that the right of return should not be used for political or propaganda purposes but should instead be respected strictly on humanitarian grounds.

The ministry added that responsibility for protecting and assisting Cambodian citizens displaced by the conflict rests with the Cambodian government, including ensuring access to shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and other essential services, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Ministry rejects claims regarding Cambodian migrant workers,  Thailand also disputed the Special Rapporteur's reference to approximately 900,000 Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand.

The Foreign Ministry said the figure included both documented and undocumented Cambodian workers and maintained that their return had been voluntary following appeals made by the Cambodian government.

"The Royal Thai Government has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand and has never adopted a policy of forcibly expelling them," the ministry said.

 

Thailand calls for impartiality in UN human rights mechanisms,  The ministry reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and complying with international humanitarian law, noting that it has continued to cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures and has already submitted relevant information through official channels.

It also stressed that UN special procedures should adhere to the principles of independence, impartiality, objectivity, and fairness, while taking into account verified information and perspectives from all concerned parties.

"Human rights assessments should be based on reliable, verifiable information and consider facts and views from all sides to ensure balance and consistency with the mandate of the Special Procedures," the statement said.

Thailand says it remains ready to restore relations with Cambodia,  In its concluding remarks, the Foreign Ministry said Thailand remained prepared to rebuild relations with Cambodia but emphasized that meaningful progress would require sincere cooperation from both governments.

"Both sides should work together to create a constructive environment by fully implementing the Joint Statement of 27 December 2025, reducing tensions, and refraining from actions or accusations that could fuel misunderstanding or undermine mutual trust," the ministry said.

 

It added that such efforts would help pave the way for the peaceful resolution of border-related issues through continued dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms.

Thailand's statement constitutes its formal response to the End of Mission Statement issued by UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews on July 31, 2026. In that statement, Andrews highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the Cambodia–Thailand border tensions and urged all parties to safeguard civilians, uphold human rights, and ensure that displaced people can return home safely and voluntarily.