Cambodia Welcomes Home 18 Soldiers Freed After Thai Detention Under Border Peace Deal

By: Son Minea

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 31, 2025) — Eighteen Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand for more than five months were released at 10 a.m. Wednesday and returned home through the Prum International Point of Entry in Pailin province, officials said.

The Ministry of National Defence said the release was carried out at 10 a.m. under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The soldiers had been held for 155 days after being captured during border clashes in July.

Their return followed Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee meeting between Cambodia and Thailand, signed Dec. 27. The provision stipulated release after full compliance with a 72 hour ceasefire that took effect at noon the same day.

Officials said the release also aligned with the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on Peace, 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.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet had pledged no soldier would be left behind, and the government said it used all diplomatic and humanitarian channels to secure their return. Cambodian leaders expressed gratitude to all parties involved, saying the release would help build trust and pave the way for peace and normalization of relations.