Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been held in Thai custody since late July 2025, in a landmark development tied to a recent ceasefire agreement aimed at ending months of violent border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. The long-detained troops were repatriated to Cambodia at the end of December 2025, drawing emotional reactions, cautious optimism and renewed focus on broader efforts to stabilise a volatile frontier.
Long Detention Comes to an End
On December 31, 2025, Thailand handed over the 18 Cambodian soldiers at a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi Province, five months after they were captured during a deadly confrontation along the disputed frontier in late July. Cambodian authorities welcomed the returnees, with footage showing soldiers smiling and waving to crowds alongside national flags as they arrived in Pailin province before moving to Phnom Penh for reunions with families.
Cambodia’s information minister Neth Pheaktra confirmed that the soldiers — described as “heroic” by local officials — arrived on Cambodian soil around 10 a.m. (03:00 GMT) on the day of their release after 155 days in detention, fulfilling a key provision tied to a 72-hour ceasefire condition in the recent truce.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the repatriation as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building intended to support peace efforts following weeks of intense fighting that displaced civilians and caused significant casualties.
A Renewed Ceasefire and Diplomatic Breakthrough
The release was part of a renewed ceasefire agreement signed on December 27, 2025, after nearly three weeks of renewed hostilities along the roughly 800-kilometre Thai-Cambodian border. The accord, reached at a General Border Committee meeting, called for an immediate halt to fighting, a freeze on military movements and an end to provocations, with the detainees’ release contingent on a sustained pause in conflict.
Both sides agreed to conditions including the return of displaced civilians, cooperation on demining efforts and continued dialogue toward border demarcation — a long-standing flashpoint rooted in colonial-era territorial disputes that have periodically flared into violence.
While maintaining that it had treated the detained soldiers in accordance with international humanitarian law, Thailand’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire’s terms and expressed hope that Cambodia would respond with reciprocal goodwill and steps to bolster lasting peace.
Humanitarian and Personal Impact
The scene at the border and in Cambodian urban centres was one of emotional relief. Hundreds of well-wishers gathered to greet the returned soldiers, with family members openly expressing joy and gratitude after half a year of uncertainty. “I am so happy,” said one father waiting in Phnom Penh to welcome his son, underscoring the human toll of prolonged detention far from home.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which helped coordinate the transfer, praised the repatriation as a positive humanitarian step that allowed families to reunite and contributed to trust-building between the two governments. ICRC officials emphasised the role of such gestures in supporting pathways to durable peace.
Context: Border Clashes and Wider Conflict
The detention of the soldiers followed renewed border clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces that erupted in July 2025 — a resurgence of violence after earlier tensions earlier in the year. The December fighting included artillery exchanges, airstrikes, rocket fire and drone use, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides and causing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
Numerous international actors, including the United States, China and Malaysia, have played roles in mediating earlier ceasefires and encouraging dialogue, highlighting the broader regional stakes in defusing this prolonged bilateral crisis.
Disagreements over ceasefire violations — including accusations and denials concerning drone activity and landmine use — had delayed the release of the soldiers even after the truce was declared, reflecting ongoing mutual distrust despite diplomatic efforts.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
The repatriation of the Cambodian soldiers is widely seen as a confidence-building measure that could lay groundwork for further negotiations. Analysts suggest that such humanitarian steps might help de-escalate tensions and focus attention on resolving the core territorial dispute and promoting cross-border cooperation.
However, both countries still face the complex task of addressing the root causes of the conflict, including historical claims over border areas and shifting geopolitical pressures in Southeast Asia. Continued engagement with ASEAN observers and international partners may be key to cementing the fragile truce and preventing future flare-ups.
Looking Ahead: Peace and Unfinished Business
As the two neighbours mark the soldiers’ return and the holiday season, the focus is increasingly on sustaining the ceasefire, rebuilding trust, and initiating substantive talks on border demarcation — a subject that has resisted resolution for decades. Both governments have expressed a willingness to pursue further dialogue, though official negotiations may wait until after Thailand’s scheduled general elections in February 2026, according to some diplomatic sources.
For now, the soldiers’ release stands as a remarkable moment of humanitarian reprieve amid a broader and deeply entrenched conflict, illustrating how shared commitments to ceasefire and international norms can yield tangible benefits — even if lasting peace remains an ongoing challenge for Cambodia and Thailand.
