PM states that he believes Thailand will return detained Cambodian soldiers ‘ as soon as possible’
PM states that he believes Thailand will return detained Cambodian soldiers ‘ as soon as possible’
Prime Minister Hun Manet has issued a statement today, regarding the case of a number of Cambodian soldiers, detained by the Thai Army after the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand came into effect of the 29th of July.
Speaking via social media, the PM stated “There is a question as to why the Royal Government of Cambodia did not immediately release information regarding the Cambodian forces that were captured by the Thai army after the ceasefire?
Does the Royal Government not consider their lives?
I would like to emphasize that since the fighting broke out on July 24, 2025, caring for the lives of our forces, as well as those of the Cambodian people living in the fighting zones, has been the highest priority of the Royal Government.
That is why the Royal Government has been working hard to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible.
In that, managing military information on the battlefield is crucial for protecting the lives and winning the war against our troops.
In the case of our captured fighters, who until now we are waiting for the Thai side to send them back to Cambodia, their lives have been the top priority of the Royal Government since the time they were captured.
In the initial phase, when there is still no clear information about their fate, information management is very important, as releasing certain information could endanger their lives or could further complicate negotiations for their release.
Therefore, between the choice of releasing the information to the public and the choice of withholding the information to ensure their lives in the early stages of uncertainty, the government has no choice but to manage the information well and open negotiations to reclaim them quickly.
ព័ត៌
It is not that the government is hiding information because it does not want the public to know or does not care about the lives of our forces, as some circles have alleged.
I would like to confirm that our military leadership has contacted the Thai side to request the immediate release of our forces since the incident.
The Minister of National Defense, Commander of the 4th Military Region of Cambodia, has been in regular contact with the Thai side to request the immediate release of our troops.
In addition, the Commander-in-Chief of the Cambodian Army has also requested the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Army, as the coordinator and monitor of the ceasefire, to request the Thai Army Commander to help expedite the release as soon as possible.
“I hope that the Thai army will send all our soldiers who are under the control of the Thai army back to Cambodia as soon as possible.”
