Homage to the two Buddhist Sects Supreme Patriarchs, the Deputy Supreme Patriarchs, the Royal Singhas, all the Venerable;
Homage to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen Mother of the Cambodian Nation in freedom, dignity, and happiness
Dear fellow countrymen!
In the context where the situation along the Cambodian-Thai border has eased somewhat after the ceasefire came into effect at 12 noon on December 27, 2025 and the release of the 18 Cambodian heroic soldiers on December 31, 2025, many difficulties – such as complete and severe damage to citizens’ homes, civil infrastructure, and some local and public infrastructure, unexploded ordnance scattered around, the return of local citizens to their homes, and the restoration of the livelihoods of refugees, etc., continue to exist. These difficulties require the Royal Government to pay the utmost attention to resolving them.
The Royal Government understands very well the hardships and challenges of our compatriots, especially those who are directly affected by the border conflict. By continuing to implement all means, especially diplomatic means and international law, to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia and resolve the Cambodian-Thailand border dispute in accordance with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement of October 26 and the Joint Declaration of December 27, 2025, the Royal Government has been using all its strength and resources, with the participation of relevant parties, such as friendly countries, national and international organizations, and the private sector, to alleviate the hardships and address the challenges of our compatriots in the short term, medium and long term.
On behalf of the Head of the Government, I would like to highlight to my fellow countrymen the measures that the Government has been taking as followed:
1. For refugees who can return to their homes
Relevant ministries/institutions, especially the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and local authorities, have been working diligently to prepare and facilitate the return of refugees to their homes as soon as possible. Under the coordination of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority and relevant ministries/institutions, de-mining operators, especially the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), have been actively working to clear unexploded ordnance to ensure that the locations are sufficiently safe before allowing refugees to return to those locations.
To ensure their personal and families safety, I appeal to all refugees to continue to cooperate closely with relevant ministries/institutions and local authorities, and to have understanding about waiting to return to their homes while the clearance of unexploded ordnance continues.
While facilitating the return to their homes, the Royal Government has established a working group to organize and manage the restoration of livelihoods and infrastructure damaged by the Cambodian-Thai border conflict. The working group is currently carrying out its duties in all affected provinces to assess the impacts and needs in order to put in place necessary intervention measures to protect the livelihoods of the displaced upon their return to their homes, to restore their livelihoods and to promote the rapid resumption of daily activities.
Meanwhile, along with promoting the restoration of people’s livelihoods, the Royal Government has been gradually assessing three key aspects: firstly, the impact on crops, secondly, the debt situation, and thirdly, the urgent restoration of essential public services, especially water, electricity, and telecommunications networks, including networks under investment by private operators.
I would like to inform my fellow countrymen that so far the National Bank of Cambodia, in collaboration with the Cambodian Banking Association and the Cambodian Microfinance Association, has introduced measures to help ease the burden on soldiers who operate directly in the battlefield, as well as citizens affected by the border conflict, including the waiver of fees and penalties related to loans, interest payments and principal repayment deferrals, and loan restructuring, etc., in addition to the cancellation of loans of up to 10 million riel to disabled soldiers on the battlefield and 80 million riel to fallen soldiers. I would like to call on the Cambodian Banking Association and the Cambodian Microfinance Association to examine the possibility of further assisting the victims as much as possible.
2. For the refugees who are unable to return to their homes
Due to the current unfavorable situation, the Royal Government, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, provincial administrations, the National Disaster Management Authority, and related ministries/institutions, has been considering strengthening temporary shelters or, if necessary, relocating your temporary shelters to better locations than the current ones. The Royal Government is considering providing appropriate solutions as realistically possible to help you maintain your daily life during this difficult time until you can return to your homes.
Meanwhile, for the next period, the Ministry of Interior is leading the statistical collection of your data, and once we finish collecting the necessary data and information, the Royal Government, through the Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, will review and issue measures to resolve the encountering issues in accordance with the applicable procedures and actual needs in the forthcoming future.
Currently, without waiting for the statistical collection to be completed, in a spirit of proactivity and high responsibility, the Inter-Ministerial Committee is actively organizing meetings and discussing options searching for appropriate, practical, and rapid solutions for our citizens.
3. Regarding damaged local and public infrastructure, such as schools, health centers, referral hospitals, markets, roads, bridges, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications
The task force has been assessing the damage and the Royal Government will use both national and development partner financial resources to restore these infrastructures as quickly as possible according to the actual situation.
Taking this opportunity, I would also like to thank the Chinese government, the United States government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), friendly countries, and other development partners who have provided material and financial assistance to the Royal Government to help alleviate the hardships and solve various problems of the refugees, especially in restoring their livelihoods upon their return to their homes and in repairing and restoring essential infrastructure, especially schools and health centers.
I hope that friendly countries and other development partners will continue to assist Cambodia’s efforts towards normalization, especially in restoring essential infrastructure and improving the lives of people affected by the border conflict.
Dear Compatriots,
Once again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the overwhelming mass movement in making both physical and mental contribution, as well as providing funds, food, and necessary materials to the heroic soldiers, the heroic police officers, and the displaced, and especially the spirit of patriotism, homeland, and unity as a strong national force. Now is the time for Cambodia to increase the spirit of national solidarity and national unity to be stronger than ever.
With the participation of all sectors under a deep sense of patriotism, our nation will surely be able to successfully overcome these difficulties and rebuild the country with greater resilience and prosperity.
Before concluding, I would like to reiterate that the position of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which always values peace, is trying to resolve this border issue peacefully, in accordance with technical specifications, and in compliance with international law, treaties, conventions, and agreements between the two countries.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my own blessings to my beloved compatriots, and may they be blessed with the Buddha’s blessings and the five blessings of longevity, caste, happiness, strength, and wisdom. Thank you!