Cambodia’s interior minister, Sar Sokha, says the government will file an international complaint against seven Thai soldiers accused of assaulting a young Cambodian woman as she was returning from Thailand to Cambodia.
Speaking during a visit with the survivor, Sar Sokha said the National Police is working with relevant authorities to gather evidence and present the case internationally. He described the alleged actions of the Thai soldiers as brutal and unacceptable.
Sar Sokha said the National Police is cooperating with civil society groups to document what he called a disgraceful act committed against a Cambodian citizen. He urged Cambodian workers in Thailand to travel in groups when returning home and to keep their families informed along the way. He added that any incident should be reported to local authorities immediately.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak confirmed in an audio message released today that the assault occurred inside Thai territory. He said the survivor was the only woman among more than ten Cambodian workers returning home, and that she is originally from Kampong Thom province.
According to Touch Sokhak, Thai soldiers separated the group into men and women after detaining them, leaving the women unprotected. He said seven soldiers then assaulted her. When the group reached Cambodian territory, the survivor filed a complaint with the Battambang provincial police.
Touch Sokhak outlined three steps the government will take. First, the National Police will file a complaint with the Royal Thai Police. Second, Cambodia will lodge a formal protest through the Thai embassy. Third, the case will be raised with international organizations to pressure Thai authorities to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
On November 16, 2025, local media reported that seven Thai soldiers attacked the Cambodian woman while she was returning home with more than ten male workers. Reports said the men were beaten, tortured, and robbed of their phones and money.
The Cambodia Daily has not yet received a comment from Battambang police chief Danh Eng Bunchan at the time of publication.
