Cambodia Urges Thailand to Release 18 Detained Soldiers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept. 8, 2025) — The Cambodian government has undertaken extensive diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thai forces following the July 28 ceasefire, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The ministry said Cambodia has engaged in official diplomatic communications, bilateral meetings, and submitted letters to the United Nations to press Thailand for the soldiers’ repatriation.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has placed the highest priority on the safe return of the detained soldiers, directing government institutions to pursue all available channels — bilateral, regional, and international — to ensure their swift release. He emphasized that the soldiers’ welfare is a matter of national dignity and urgent humanitarian concern.

Hun Manet’s personal engagement reflects Cambodia’s commitment to protecting its citizens, upholding national sovereignty, and resolving the issue peacefully through good neighborliness and mutual trust, the ministry said.

In support of the prime minister’s leadership, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has led sustained diplomatic efforts, raising the issue with key partners, the diplomatic corps in Phnom Penh, and visiting foreign dignitaries, including Japan’s special envoy for Mekong cooperation.

Under his direction, the ministry has issued note verbales, organized diplomatic briefings, engaged ASEAN mechanisms, and coordinated with friendly nations and international organizations. These efforts underscore Cambodia’s commitment to defending the rights of its nationals and promoting de-escalation in line with international humanitarian principles.

The Ministry of National Defense has also worked with its Thai counterpart through existing bilateral military mechanisms to press for the soldiers’ safe return, while ensuring Cambodia’s adherence to the ceasefire.

Cambodian diplomatic missions abroad, particularly the permanent missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, have played a key role in international advocacy. In New York, the mission formally raised the issue with the United Nations and ASEAN partners.

In Geneva, it mobilized humanitarian and human rights institutions, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to monitor detention conditions and press for compliance with the Geneva Conventions.

The ministry said Cambodia’s approach to the ICRC is rooted in humanitarian protection, not political confrontation. Its priorities include access, monitoring, and repatriation of prisoners of war; protection of civilians from forced transfer and militarization; and adherence to international law, including the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks and outlawed weapons.

The ICRC reaffirmed its recognition of the 18 detained soldiers as prisoners of war and confirmed follow-up visits would be conducted in early September to verify their conditions and ensure family contact.

The organization also committed to working with Cambodian authorities to assess humanitarian conditions and address concerns related to displaced civilians and alleged use of prohibited weapons, in accordance with its neutral mandate.