18 Cambodian Soldiers Safely Return Home Following Release from Thai Custody

18 Cambodian Soldiers Safely Return Home Following Release from Thai Custody

Pailin, 31 December 2025 — The Royal Government of Cambodia has confirmed the safe return of 18 Cambodian soldiers who were released from Thai custody after 155 days of detention, marking a significant confidence-building development following recent diplomatic and military engagements between Cambodia and Thailand.

According to an official statement issued by Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the release took place at 10:00 a.m. on 31 December 2025 at the Prum International Point of Entry in Pailin Province. The soldiers were safely repatriated to Cambodia in accordance with Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between the two countries, signed on 27 December 2025.

The release followed full compliance with the agreed 72-hour ceasefire, which came into effect at 12:00 p.m. on 27 December 2025. The entire process was conducted under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), ensuring transparency and adherence to international humanitarian standards.

The Ministry further noted that the release is fully consistent with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on the Peace Deal between Cambodia and Thailand, signed on 26 October 2025 by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, under the witness of His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirmed that the successful return of the 18 soldiers reflects the unwavering commitment of Prime Minister Hun Manet to the pledge made to the Cambodian people and the families of the detained soldiers that no Cambodian soldier would ever be left behind. To secure their release, Cambodia employed all available diplomatic channels and international humanitarian legal mechanisms, demonstrating a principled and persistent approach rooted in dialogue and international law.

The Government and people of Cambodia expressed their profound appreciation to all parties involved in facilitating the release and coordination process. Cambodia voiced hope that this humanitarian and confidence-building gesture will contribute meaningfully to rebuilding mutual trust, fostering stability, and advancing the full normalization of relations between Cambodia and Thailand for the benefit of both nations and their peoples.

The Ministry of National Defence called on the public and national and international media to take note of the above facts.