The government of Thailand has officially released 18 Cambodian soldiers who were captured during violent border skirmishes in July.
The repatriation is a critical component of a newly established ceasefire agreement reached between the two nations on Saturday, December 27, 2025, following weeks of deadly conflict.
Okay News reports that the handover occurred on Tuesday, following a 24-hour delay caused by accusations from Bangkok regarding unauthorized drone flights into Thai territory. Despite these initial setbacks, the release was successfully facilitated under significant diplomatic mediation, aimed at de-escalating a conflict that has displaced nearly one million civilians from their homes.
The soldiers, who were returned in civilian clothing, were received by Cambodian authorities at a designated border checkpoint. Their freedom was a primary demand from the Cambodian government during peace negotiations, which have now mandated a freeze on current front-line positions and a strict prohibition on further military reinforcements in the contested areas.
While tensions over the century-old border dispute remain high, the Thai Foreign Ministry described the release as a gesture of goodwill. This development follows the collapse of a previous truce brokered in October 2025, with both countries now expressing cautious optimism that this latest arrangement will foster mutual trust and sustained regional stability.
