Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers after border ceasefire
Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been detained since July, a move confirmed by both governments and seen as a confidence-building step following a recently agreed ceasefire between the two neighboring countries.
The Cambodian authorities announced that the soldiers returned safely to national territory on Wednesday morning, sparking relief among families and officials after months of uncertainty. Thailand’s foreign ministry described the release as a gesture of goodwill aimed at easing tensions and restoring trust after weeks of deadly clashes along the disputed border.
The handover comes shortly after the two countries declared an immediate ceasefire to halt fighting that had caused dozens of deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee border areas on both sides. Under the agreement, Bangkok and Phnom Penh committed to freezing military positions and enhancing cooperation on demining operations and cross-border security issues.
Despite the truce, tensions briefly resurfaced earlier this week when Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire through drone activity near the border. Cambodian officials downplayed the incident and denied any breach, calling for restraint and continued dialogue.
Thailand and Cambodia have long been divided over the demarcation of their shared border, a legacy of colonial-era mapping that has repeatedly sparked diplomatic and military confrontations. The latest release of detained soldiers is widely viewed as a positive signal, though analysts warn that lasting peace will require sustained political engagement and effective conflict-resolution mechanisms.
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