Throngs of Cambodian migrant workers fleeing Thailand amid ceasefire agreement

Thousands of Cambodian migrant workers are fleeing Thailand despite a ceasefire agreement was reached earlier this week between the two countries following deadly clashes along the frontier.

At Thailand's Daung International Border Checkpoint in Battambang's Kamrieng district, long queues were stretching as returning workers waited to cross back into Cambodia.

The border gate remains open daily from 09:00 to 15:00, but the mood is tense and uncertain.

The exodus began after armed conflict erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border on July 24, prompting panic and fear among Cambodian workers in Thailand.

Although a ceasefire was announced on July 28, the flow has yet to ease.

As of that day, over 200,000 Cambodians had returned, and the number continues to grow.

Many returnees cite safety concerns as their main reason for leaving, despite years of easy employment in Thailand.

"I don't plan to go back to Thailand. I'm afraid the armed clash may happen again. Personally, being in Cambodia, our home country gives me a greater sense of safety," said Tang Borey, a returning worker originally from Prey Veng Province.

Salav, originally from Cambodia's Banteay Mean Chey Province, had worked in Thailand for nearly a decade, said that the decision to return was difficult but necessary.

"My mother lives near the border with my small children. I needed to come back to ensure their safety and I myself was so scared. Although working in Thailand may have improved my family's condition financially, I don't think I want to go back even after the situation stabilizes," she said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to implement a ceasefire starting midnight on Monday.

The ceasefire meeting was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday afternoon in the Malaysian Prime Minister's residence in Putrajaya. Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing attended the meeting.

Throngs of Cambodian migrant workers fleeing Thailand amid ceasefire agreement

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near