Thailand Releases 18 Cambodian Soldiers as Ceasefire Holds After Deadly Border Clashes
Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since July, officials said, as a ceasefire between the two countries continued to hold following weeks of deadly border clashes. The move comes after Bangkok and Phnom Penh declared a ceasefire on Saturday, ending nearly three weeks of fighting that killed at least 99 people, including civilians.
In a statement, the Thai Foreign Ministry said it had “repatriated the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia” as a “demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building.” The ministry added that Thailand hopes Cambodia will reciprocate through concrete actions to promote sustained peace. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata welcomed the step, saying the release “creates an environment conducive to peace, stability, and the full normalization of relations for the benefit of both nations.”
Cambodia’s official news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse confirmed the soldiers’ return after 155 days in custody, reporting they were “warmly welcomed” upon arrival at the Prum International Border Crossing in Pailin province. Under the ceasefire agreement, all 18 soldiers were to be returned if the truce remained intact for the initial 72 hours. Separately, Thai Navy spokesman Rear Adm. Parach Rattanachaipan said the navy had captured a Thai-owned oil tanker in the Gulf of Thailand, suspecting it was attempting to smuggle fuel to Cambodia, according to Thai PBS.
