Cambodia establishes remembrance village for displaced Preah Vihear residents

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior approved the creation of Takoeng Chang Cham, a village in Preah Vihear province intended to house civilians displaced by a border conflict with Thailand.

Interior Minister Sar Sokha signed the formal approval on November 10 to provide shelter and basic administration for families who cannot return to their original homes due to ongoing security concerns. The new settlement provides residents with roads, a health center, a police post, administrative offices, and schools.

Each house includes a kitchen, a bathroom, and access to electricity and clean water. While the ministry did not state the current population of the village, provincial authorities reported in July that the site accommodated 645 households and 2,061 people. Many of these residents fled from areas designated as red zones where the Thai military has occupied homes since a ceasefire last December.

Because residents struggle to find regular work, Governor Kim Rithy announced that authorities are discussing an integrated agricultural project covering nearly 100 hectares to create local jobs.