Cambodia Urges Thailand to Release Detained Soldiers After Ceasefire

Phnom Penh/Bangkok – Cambodia has formally requested Thailand to release 20 of its soldiers who were detained following a ceasefire agreement between the two nations. The demand was made public by Cambodian Defence Ministry officials during a press briefing on Thursday.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Undersecretary of State and Defence Ministry Spokesperson, stated that the Thai military had taken 21 Cambodian soldiers into custody on July 29 at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time. She confirmed the death of one soldier during the incident, adding, “We call on the Thai side to send all 20 military personnel back to Cambodia as soon as possible.”

Cambodia is currently engaging in talks with Thailand, with Malaysia—ASEAN’s current chair—mediating the negotiations.

In response, the Thai army confirmed on Thursday that the detained soldiers would be returned to Cambodia after legal procedures are completed. Thai officials assured that the Cambodian troops are being treated in accordance with international law.

The clash leading to the soldiers’ capture occurred on July 24 during armed confrontations along the Cambodia–Thailand border. Both countries agreed to a ceasefire later, which came into immediate and unconditional effect on Monday at midnight.