BANGKOK – Thailand, on New Year’s Eve, repatriated 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been held since violent border fighting in July 2025. The handover took place after a 72-hour ceasefire had stayed in place, offering a cautious sign that tensions may ease between the two neighbours.
The soldiers were taken into custody during heavy clashes near contested border zones. Thailand transferred them at the Ban Phakkat permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. Observers from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the ASEAN Observer Team watched the process, with the aim of keeping the return orderly and respectful.
Cambodian Soldiers Release linked to the latest truce
The return followed a clear condition set out in a Joint Statement signed on 27 December 2025 at a special meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Chanthaburi. Clause 11 said Thailand would repatriate the 18 soldiers once the ceasefire, which began at midday on 27 December, had held for 72 straight hours.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move was a sign of goodwill and a step to build trust. It also matched the broader goals of a Joint Declaration signed by both prime ministers on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
That declaration, witnessed by international leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, committed both sides to cool tensions and release prisoners of war quickly as a way to rebuild confidence.
The soldiers had spent about 155 days in Thai custody after being captured during clashes that broke out just hours after an earlier ceasefire in July. Thailand said the troops had crossed into Thai territory, while Cambodia said they were moving in to offer peaceful greetings after the fighting.
Focus on Humanitarian Rules
Thai officials said the detainees were treated in line with the 1949 Geneva Conventions, with reference to the Third Geneva Convention on prisoners of war. Before the transfer, the soldiers received health checks and were told about their rights. Thai authorities said the process was carried out in a safe and dignified way.
The Foreign Ministry said the repatriation showed Thailand’s support for humanitarian principles. The ICRC, which helped with family notifications and observed the handover, described the return as a constructive step that can help families reunite and support longer-term calm.
The release comes after fresh border violence returned in early December 2025, breaking a shaky truce arranged earlier in the year. The July clashes had already killed dozens and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, leading to outside mediation. An October deal aimed to keep things stable, but both sides traded claims of breaches, including landmine use and drone flights, and the situation escalated again.
The latest round of fighting lasted around 20 days and included artillery fire, airstrikes, and rocket attacks. It left more than 100 people dead and forced over half a million civilians to flee on both sides. The dispute centres on stretches of the 817-kilometre border that are still not clearly marked, tied to claims that go back more than a century.
Response in Cambodia and What Comes Next
The 27 December Joint Statement also called for freezing troop levels, working together on demining, and making it safe for displaced people to return. There were early worries about possible violations, including reports of drone activity, but the 72-hour window passed without major incidents, clearing the way for Wednesday’s handover.
In Cambodia, officials praised the returning soldiers as heroes. They were greeted with roses and public celebrations in areas including Pailin and Battambang. Crowds turned out to welcome them home, highlighting the personal toll of five months in detention.
International observers, including the United States and China, welcomed the repatriation as a sign of progress. The ICRC’s president said it helps build confidence between the two countries and supports the path towards lasting peace.
Analysts have warned that the hardest issues are still on the table, including clear border demarcation and mine clearance. Thailand and Cambodia have said they will keep talking, with ASEAN potentially playing a bigger role, to reduce the risk of another flare-up.
As the new year begins, the repatriation offers a hopeful moment. Still, with strong public feelings and long-running disputes, stability along the Thai-Cambodian border may take time to secure.
