Thailand Frees 18 Cambodian Soldiers Following Border Ceasefire
Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been held since July, following a ceasefire agreement reached between the two neighboring countries over the weekend.
The soldiers were detained during earlier deadly clashes along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Their release was initially expected earlier but was delayed by one day after Thai authorities raised concerns over alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement. The handover ultimately proceeded after diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining stability.
The released soldiers, dressed in civilian clothing, were escorted across a border checkpoint and formally handed over to Cambodian officials, where they were welcomed by supporters and authorities.
Tensions between the two countries escalated sharply earlier this month after weeks of fighting along the disputed border areas, forcing nearly one million residents to flee their homes. The ceasefire agreement includes measures to freeze troop positions, prevent reinforcements, and allow displaced civilians to return safely.
The detention of the soldiers since July had fueled strong nationalist sentiment in Cambodia, making their return a key demand during ceasefire negotiations. Thai officials described the release as a gesture of goodwill and expressed hope that it would encourage cooperation and adherence to the truce.
Cambodian authorities confirmed the return of their personnel and stated that the move could help strengthen mutual trust between the two sides.
Under the ceasefire terms, the soldiers were to be released within 72 hours. However, the delay occurred after Thailand accused Cambodia of breaching the truce by deploying a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles into Thai airspace. Despite these accusations, the ceasefire has largely remained intact.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has persisted for over a century, but tensions intensified earlier this year following symbolic acts at a contested temple site. Sporadic clashes since May have resulted in fatalities among both soldiers and civilians, with thousands displaced.
Although a ceasefire was agreed upon earlier this year and later formalized, renewed fighting broke out this month, highlighting the fragile nature of peace efforts in the region. The latest developments offer cautious optimism that both sides may now seek de-escalation.
