Thailand Rebuts UN Rapporteur's Call to Allow Returns to Ban Nong Chan

ACM Prapas Sornchaidee responded to UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews' call for Cambodian civilians to be allowed to return to the disputed Ban Nong Chan border area, saying any return must meet safety conditions under Clause 4 of the December 27 ceasefire statement, which permits returns 'in safety and dignity' to areas 'within their own side,' while Clause 3 assigns demarcation questions to the Joint Boundary Commission. Prapas noted Thailand and Cambodia agreed in October 2025 to a joint survey between boundary pillars 42-47, and said: 'Thailand is not rejecting humanitarian principles, but we must act responsibly. Safety must come first.'