BANGKOK – Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been detained since July, fulfilling a key condition of the ceasefire agreement signed over the weekend. The handover took place at 10 a.m. at the Ban Phak Khat permanent border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, which remains closed to the general public.

Thai Army Detains 18 Cambodian Soldiers After Border Clash

The release was conducted in accordance with measure No. 11 of the joint statement signed during Saturday’s special meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee in Chanthaburi. The clause stipulated that the detained soldiers would be repatriated after a 72-hour observance of the ceasefire, a provision also aligned with the earlier Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of October 26.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the release was postponed by Thailand due to alleged breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodia. The 18 soldiers had surrendered in late July after being surrounded along the border in Si Sa Ket province and had been held since.

Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during clashes in late July, acting in accordance with the terms of a 72-hour ceasefire agreement between the two sides. pic.twitter.com/HRCLQAFZxk

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A statement from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the detainees were treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Convention, and received periodic visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Thai authorities facilitated communication between the soldiers and their families.

Prior to their repatriation, each soldier underwent a health examination as required under the Geneva Convention. Officials ensured the handover was voluntary, safe, and dignified, with the soldiers’ families notified in advance. The process was monitored by representatives from both the Red Cross and ASEAN observer teams.

Thailand Repatriates Injured Cambodian Soldiers

The statement emphasized that the release reflects Thailand’s commitment to humanitarian principles and to rebuilding trust with Cambodia. It added, “Thailand hopes Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill with concrete action to promote lasting peace between the two countries.”

-Thailand News (TN)