AKP Phnom Penh, December 31, 2025 --

The release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers, who had been detained by the Thai side for 155 days, will contribute to building mutual trust and confidence between the two countries, said the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, in a press release issued this morning.

“We believe this creates an environment conducive to peace, stability, and the full normalisation of relations for the benefit of both nations and their people in the near future,” she underlined.

The 18 soldiers were released and safely returned to Cambodia at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 31 via the Prum International Border Crossing in Pailin province, under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to the spokeswoman, the release was carried out in accordance with Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand, signed on Dec. 27, 2025. This provision stipulates the release of detained soldiers following full compliance with the 72-hour ceasefire, which took effect at 12:00 p.m. on Dec. 27.

The release also aligns with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on the Peace Deal between Cambodia and Thailand, signed on Oct. 26, 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 H.E. Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The Royal Government and the people of Cambodia have expressed their deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the coordination efforts that led to today’s successful repatriation, H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said.

She added that the Royal Government of Cambodia, particularly Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, has remained steadfast in the promise made to the families of the detained soldiers and the Cambodian people that no soldier would be left behind. To secure today’s release and reunite the soldiers with their waiting families, the Royal Government utilised all available diplomatic channels and international humanitarian legal frameworks.

By C. Nika