Thailand to return 18 abducted Cambodian soldiers today

Thailand to return 18 abducted Cambodian soldiers today

Synopsis: Amid tensions following five-day border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, 18 Cambodian soldiers abducted by Thai forces are expected to be returned today. The detentions occurred on July 29 during a planned post-ceasefire interaction, which the Cambodian military says was met with unprovoked aggression. One soldier managed to escape, while another is dead and his body recently repatriated.

PREAH VIHEAR – Amid growing calls for the unconditional and immediate release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained one day after the recent five-day border conflict, the Thai military is expected to return them today, both Cambodian and Thai military sources have confirmed.

Thai troops illegally detained nearly 20 Cambodian soldiers – one of whom later escaped – despite a ceasefire agreement going into effect the previous day.

The incident reportedly occurred during a planned post-ceasefire handshake between troops from both sides in the disputed “Choam Te” battlefield zone in Preah Vihear province on Tuesday, according to Major General Chan Sopheaktra, Provincial Military Commander.

According to the Cambodian military, when the Cambodian soldiers approached their Thai counterparts to exchange greetings in the spirit of the ceasefire, Thai forces suddenly turned their weapons on them and detained them without provocation.

“Cambodia calls on the Thai side to send back all 20 of our forces to Cambodia as soon as possible, including other forces if any. We will negotiate to the best of our ability to bring our brothers back as soon as possible and safely,”said Ministry of National Defence spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata.

Yesterday, the body of a Cambodian soldier was handed over to Cambodian authorities, days after he and the others were reportedly detained by Thai forces during heightened border tensions.

Responding to public concern about the government’s stance on the captured soldiers, Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday emphasised the importance of effective military information management on the battlefield to safeguard lives and ensure operational success.

He noted that senior Cambodian military officials had been in contact with their Thai counterparts to push for the immediate release of the soldiers. Since the outset of the incident, the Minister of National Defence and the Commander of Cambodia’s Military Region 4 have maintained regular communication with Thai military officials to expedite the release process.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces has also sought the assistance of the Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia – who serves as the ceasefire coordinator and observer – to press Thailand’s military leadership for the soldiers’ prompt return.

“I sincerely hope that the Thai Army will return all our soldiers currently in their custody to Cambodia as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister added.

Lieutenant General Phat Vibolsopheak, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs and Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of National Defence, confirmed the imminent release of the soldiers to visiting defence attachés.

Meanwhile, Thai media, citing reports from Thailand’s 2nd Army Region Command, reported that 18 Cambodian soldiers would be returned today at 10am after being detained in Si Sa Ket province. One soldier was said to be disoriented due to combat-related stress.

During a fact-finding mission to the Cambodian-Thai border by foreign military attachés and diplomats, Thai soldiers were observed violating Cambodian territory – an act witnessed by the representatives from 13 countries.

The attachés, who rarely conduct such field visits, travelled to the An Ses border checkpoint in Preah Vihear province – a battleground during the five-day conflict that remains under Cambodian control. The area, including a border market and nearby casino, was severely damaged by airstrikes and heavy shelling during the clashes.

During the visit, Thai soldiers – dressed in both black military and paramilitary uniforms – crossed into Cambodian territory to film and photograph the foreign delegates, in breach of international norms.

“You have just witnessed another breach of the ceasefire,” said Lt Gen Vibolsopheak, as he addressed the visiting attachés.

He added that Thailand continues to violate Cambodian territory despite the ceasefire agreement.

Colonel Hara Takashi, Counsellor and Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Japan, joined a site visit to the 3rd Intervention Division in Preah Vihear province on Tuesday as part of the fact-finding mission organised by the Ministry of National Defence.

The visit, held under the framework of the Military Attaché Corps Phnom Penh, gave foreign defence officials a real-time assessment of the situation following the recent border clashes.

In a statement issued after the visit, the Embassy of Japan expressed condolences and support for peace:

“The Embassy of Japan extends its deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent border conflict and offers its heartfelt sympathy to those who have been affected,” it said. “We sincerely hope that peaceful life will be restored as soon as possible.”

The embassy also reaffirmed Japan’s support for regional stability:

“The Government of Japan will continue to encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to promote steady implementation of the ceasefire agreement and de-escalation of the situation, in coordination with relevant countries,” the statement added.

Col Hara joined defence attachés and diplomats from 12 countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, South Korea, and several ASEAN nations.

Delegates witnessed Cambodia’s strong adherence to the ceasefire agreement.

French Embassy spokesperson Noémie Pinta yesterday referred to a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which called for the ceasefire to be “implemented effectively.”

Near the frontline, some residents have begun returning to their villages, citing difficult conditions in evacuee camps. They expressed hope for lasting peace between the two nations. Despite the conflict, some villagers refused to leave their homes from the beginning.

“The shells from the Thai side just landed behind my home. The sounds of shelling before the ceasefire were heard everywhere,” said Mom Sokny, 55, a grocer in Preah Vihear’s Choam Khsan district, who remained at home throughout the hostilities.

“I pray for peace and a lasting ceasefire between the two nations,” she added.

Khmer Times