Cambodia-Thailand War
“Ongoing project”
This war sent hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets, taking shelter in pagodas, empty development projects and farmlands, all for a war they never wanted.
Both almost one million civilians in Cambodia and Thailand combined had to leave their properties, pets and farmlands behind to flee a territorial conflict with political undertones between the once-civil neighboring countries. They had to run day and night, they did not have enough time to bring what they needed with them.
I set out to document the situation of Cambodians, where I can still access, throughout the entire displacement process: leaving their homes, settling into displacement camps, and returning to their homes near the conflicted border with Thailand.
In the camps where they stop, they have no proper shelter: no mattresses to sleep on, not enough blankets to cover them, nor enough food or medical supplies to sustain them. When the
camps overcrowd, or the attacks get too close to their bases, families will again pack up their koh yun motorized tractors and look for a new camp. Residents told me they fear that diseases will spread within these camps. I witnessed elderly people stressed by the action of leaving their homes again, and kids who repeatedly missed classes to run from fighting. Those kids say they had been happy to return to school after fighting between Cambodia and Thailand first kicked off in July. By December, they had to run again.
This war created so much uncertainty among people who already deal in likelihoods: whether their rice harvest will net a good price this year, or whether they can cover the full interest payment on their microfinance loan. While elite powers in Cambodia and Thailand hold the tools and rhetoric to end the conflict, the people in camps can do nothing but wait.
In these border communities, Cambodian and Thai neighbors used to live happily together, exchanging goods and chatting civilly throughout the process. Sometimes, they got married, or started friendships. The conflict stands in contrast to all aspects of their lives.
More than 12,000 civilian who live near the Cambodian-Thai border flee to Koh Ker Evacuation Camp for safety during the Cambodia-Thailand conflict which was started on 24th July 2025.
Civilians hold tickets representing their families' place in the queue and wait among thousands for their numbers to be called during a donation distribution at the displaced persons camp in the Chroy Neang Ngourn pagoda in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province on December 15, 2025.
Displaced residents queue for aid at the 5000 Budhi Trees Camp Pagoda in Koh Ker, Preah Vihear province, after fleeing areas affected by the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. Since fighting erupted on July 24, an estimated 169,000 Cambodians have been forced from their homes.
Cambodian evacuation camp at the 5000 Budhi Trees Pagoda in Koh Ker ,Preah Vihear province. It’s one of the campsites where people seek for safety during the Cambodia-Thailand conflict started on July 24th.
A fisherman fishes in Peam Krassaob Mangrove Ecotourism in Koh Kong, Cambodia 2023.
A woman divides fish to sell in the morning after her husband comes back from fishing in Peam Krasaop, Koh Kong, Cambodia. Her husband catches about 10kg of fish per day, making $1.50 per kilo. Koh Kong, Cambodia 2023.
Some parts of the mangrove forests in Peam Krassaob Wildlife Sanctuary was destroyed. Koh Kong, Cambodia 2023.
The area was cleared under the resort project in Peam Krassaop Wildlife Sanctuary located in Koh Kong, Cambodia 2023.
A girl in Peam Krasaob’s fishing village watches the dead mangrove trees in Koh Kong, Cambodia 2023.
A fishing community in Koh Kong’s Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary cut down mangrove forest in order to expand their homes and property Koh Kong Province, 2023.
Workers construct a concrete wall to prevent tides and sand flow into the coconut farm in Kep's Ou Krasar Community. Cambodia 2023.
Fishermen in Trapeang Sangkae Community in Cambodia's Kampot province, prepare to boat out to fish in the mangrove forest nearby their village. Kampot, Cambodia 2023.
Mangrove nursery of the Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community. Kampot, Cambodia 2023.
A group of people jointed by NGOs, government officials and public participate in planting mangrove in Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community on 26th August 2023. Kampot, Cambodia.
Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community Members help the group of people from Sathapana Bank team to replant the mangrove trees on 24th June 2023. Kampot, Cambodia.
The mangrove forest in Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia’s Koh Kong Province, 2023.