KhmerTimes-Apr 21, 2026
A new United Nations (UN) assessment reveals the far-reaching socioeconomic consequences of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, which displaced hundreds of thousands in late 2025 and triggered a sharp downturn in trade, tourism, agriculture, and remittances. Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict says the military standoff displaced more than 644,000 people at its peak in December 2025, with over 347,000 forced into temporary sites and nearly 300,000 hosted by communities. A total of 141,850 remained displaced as of January this year, underscoring the enduring humanitarian crisis. The fighting also led to the closure of 883 schools and over 50 health facilities. The survey found that household incomes plummeted as internally displaced families saw a 34% drop, while returnees experienced a 49% decline. Non-employment surged, with over half of returnees from Thailand left jobless. Farming households faced crop losses of up to 42.7%, compounded by falling farmgate prices, high input costs, and limited market access. Access to clean water and sanitation remained uneven, with overcrowding and unsafe facilities reported at displacement sites. Education was severely disrupted, affecting more than 200,000 learners, while psychosocial stress was widespread with 85.8% of the displaced reporting that their mental well-being was “affected a lot”. The research found that Cambodia’s exports to Thailand fell 13.5%, while imports dropped by 12.7%, with fuels and fertilizers contributing significantly to the decline. Traders sought alternatives in Vietnam and China to sustain supply chains. International arrivals fell 11.6% year-on-year, with sharp declines from Thailand and Laos. Projected tourism receipts for 2025 were revised downwards by $855 million. Agriculture exports saw cassava, maize, and fruits suffer multimillion-dollar losses, with total food and agriculture exports projected to fall by $156 million compared to 2024. The return of nearly 900,000 migrant workers from Thailand caused remittance inflows to collapse, with household remittances dropping from $2,194 annually to just $110. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501882937/military-conflict-with-thailand-scarred-society-says-un-report/
