Urgent: Thai authorities have released 18 prisoners of war. "Cambodian soldiers" have been sent back to their country after a 72-hour ceasefire as agreed.
On 31 December 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia, stating the following:
1. Today (31 Dec 2025) at 10:00 a.m., Thai authorities returned 18 Cambodian soldiers, who were detained by Thai authorities, back to their homeland. This action follows Clause 11 of the Joint Statement between Thailand and Cambodia signed during the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee on 27 December 2025, which stipulated that Thailand would repatriate these 18 soldiers after a continuous 72-hour ceasefire. It is also in line with the intent of the Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025.
2. Since the detention of the 18 Cambodian soldiers by Thai authorities, they have been cared for in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the humanitarian standards and practices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Thai authorities have allowed periodic visits by the ICRC and facilitated the delivery of letters from the Cambodian soldiers to their families.
3. The repatriation complies with the Third Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of prisoners of war. Thai authorities conducted health checks before repatriation and informed the soldiers of their rights under the Geneva Conventions to ensure the return was voluntary, safe, and dignified. The ICRC also notified the families about today's repatriation. Additionally, the ICRC and ASEAN Observers Team (AOT) jointly monitored the handover process.
4. Returning these 18 soldiers to Cambodia demonstrates Thailand's intention to build mutual trust with Cambodia and reflects its commitment to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian principles. Thailand hopes Cambodia will respond to this goodwill with concrete actions to promote lasting peace between the two countries.