‘Cambodia Wants Peace’: British Citizen Risks Life to Tell Civilians’ Stories

PHNOM PENH, Feb 9, 2026 (KPT) — A British national living in Cambodia has drawn attention for documenting the civilian toll of recent border clashes, saying his message is simple: “Cambodia wants peace.”

Kevin Smith, who has lived in Cambodia for a decade, has become widely known for viral videos filmed in frontline villages. Draped in a Cambodian flag, he has walked close to contested areas despite warnings from Thai soldiers. “Opinion videos weren’t enough,” he said. “I had to document what this is doing to families.”

Smith recalled bombs falling near Poipet, saying he felt fear only for how his children might react if he did not return home. From Banteay Meanchey to Preah Vihear, he said displaced residents consistently voiced the same desire: to go home and resume normal life.

“They want their kids back in school,” he said, describing resilience and dignity in camps despite destroyed homes, debt, and trauma. He warned that the international community has yet to grasp the risks civilians face, including unexploded ordnance and blocked access to villages occupied by Thai forces.

Smith said documenting the situation is a moral duty. “The real story isn’t me. It’s the families,” he said. “And the message they want shared is clear: Cambodia wants peace.”