Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been held for nearly five months following clashes along the two countries’ disputed border. The release, carried out on Wednesday, comes days after a fresh truce ended weeks of deadly fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
The soldiers were detained in late July amid renewed violence linked to a decades-old territorial dispute. The latest round of clashes in December involved artillery bombardments and air strikes, leaving dozens dead and forcing more than one million civilians to flee their homes on both sides of the border.
Scenes of relief and celebration greeted the soldiers’ return. Cambodian state television showed the men smiling and waving to cheering crowds from a bus as they crossed into the border province of Pailin, marking their first moments of freedom after 155 days in detention.
Families of the soldiers expressed deep emotion following the announcement. “I am so happy. I can’t wait to see him. I miss him so much,” said Voeung Vy, whose son was captured in July. He said the family would reunite in Phnom Penh after months of uncertainty.
Cambodia’s defence ministry confirmed that the soldiers were “released and safely returned to the motherland,” while Thailand’s foreign ministry described the move as a goodwill gesture aimed at confidence-building. Phnom Penh said it hoped the release would strengthen mutual trust between both countries.
The repatriation followed a ceasefire agreement reached on Saturday, under which both sides pledged to halt hostilities, freeze troop movements, and cooperate on demining efforts along their shared 800-kilometre border. The deal also committed Thailand to return the captured soldiers within 72 hours if the truce held.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which supported the repatriation as a humanitarian observer, welcomed the development, saying it helped reunite families and build confidence toward lasting peace.
However, despite the breakthrough, Cambodia and Thailand still face unresolved issues over border demarcation, with talks expected but uncertain as Thailand prepares for general elections in February.
