ADVERTISEMENT

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers after new ceasefire deal holds

The Southeast Asian neighbours agreed to halt fighting at noon on Saturday (0500 GMT), ending about 20 days of clashes that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million civilians on both sides

Reuters
Published 31.12.25, 03:15 PM
1 6
Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, board a military helicopter heading to Phnom Penh following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement signed on December 27, 2025, at Battambang airport, Battambang province, Cambodia, December 31, 2025. (Pictures: REUTERS)

Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday under an renewed ceasefire agreed by the two countries at the weekend, authorities from both countries said, easing tensions after weeks of deadly border clashes.

The Southeast Asian neighbours agreed to halt fighting at noon on Saturday (0500 GMT), ending about 20 days of clashes that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million civilians on both sides.

2 6
Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, on board a military helicopter heading to Phnom Penh following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement signed on December 27, 2025, at Battambang airport, Battambang province, Cambodia, December 31, 2025.
ADVERTISEMENT

The fighting included fighter jet sorties, exchanges of rocket fire and artillery barrages.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said the soldiers were transferred at a border checkpoint at 10 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, after 155 days in Thai custody.

3 6
Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, walk at the Phsar Prum border following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

The governor of Cambodia's Battambang province, Sok Lou, described the returnees as "heroic soldiers".

Thailand's Foreign Ministry said the detainees had been treated "in accordance with international humanitarian law and principles" during their detention.

4 6
Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, receive roses from people following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

The border clashes flared up again this month after a previous ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim collapsed.

As part of Saturday's deal to halt the fighting, Thailand agreed to release the 18 soldiers in its custody if the ceasefire held for 72 hours.

5 6
Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, wave to the crowd from a bus following their release.

However, the handover was delayed by one day after Thailand made allegations of ceasefire violations by Cambodia, which Cambodia denied.

6 6
A bus carries 18 Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand after being captured in July, following their release under the terms of a ceasefire agreement signed on December 27, 2025, at Prum International Border Checkpoint in Pailin province, Cambodia, December 31, 2025.

"Today's release and repatriation of prisoners of war allows families to be reunited and marks an important step in translating the commitments outlined in the Joint Statement into action," said Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which supervised the handover. 

Thailand-Cambodia Border Ceasefire
Follow us on:

MORE IN PICTURES

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this article