Australia Hails Release of Cambodian Soldiers as Confidence-Building Step After Ceasefire

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 31, 2025) — Australia has welcomed the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand, calling the move an important confidence building step following the recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh said the release would help rebuild trust and urged both sides to continue honoring commitments made at the Dec. 27 Special General Border Committee meeting.

“Today’s release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers is a positive step that will help to rebuild confidence and trust between Cambodia and Thailand,” the embassy said. “Australia urges both sides to continue to uphold commitments made at the Dec. 27 Special GBC meeting. Peace and stability in our region is in all our interests.”

Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, said the soldiers were freed at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Prum International Border Crossing in Pailin province after 155 days in Thai custody.

She said the release was carried out under Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special GBC Meeting, which required compliance with a 72 hour ceasefire. The handover was observed by the ASEAN Observer Team and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Socheata added the move also reflected the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed Oct. 26 by Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Thai counterpart, witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Cambodia expressed gratitude to all parties involved, saying the release would contribute to peace, stability, and normalization of relations.