18 soldiers illegally detained in Thailand for five months come home to a hero’s welcome

Montage captures the journey of the 18 soldiers, from their capture by the Thai military and detention in Thailand to their release, transport to Phnom Penh, meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet and reception of cheering crowds, culminating in emotional reunions with their families. Khmer Times, PMO and AKP

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Synopsis: As part of the ceasefire deal, Thailand finally frees the Cambodian soldiers it held for 155 days. Thousands throng the streets to receive the heroes in an emotional scene.

Pailin province – As 2025 drew to a close, Cambodians joyously welcomed the release of 18 soldiers who were illegally detained by the Thai army for 155 days. The soldiers were captured just hours after a ceasefire was signed between the two countries on July 28, making their detention illegal.

The soldiers’ release was welcomed by the international community.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen issued statements welcoming the soldiers’ safe return to the homeland.

At 10am yesterday, 18 Cambodian soldiers, smiling brightly, emerged at the Prum border checkpoint. With shorn heads and wearing flip-flops, they walked back to the cheers of well-wishers who had been anxiously awaiting their return. Their 155-day ordeal had finally come to an end.

Twenty Cambodian soldiers were originally captured on July 29 in their trenches in Preah Vihear province, in violation of the ceasefire agreement on July 28, following five days of deadly border clashes. Two soldiers were released days later due to health and psychiatric concerns.

Although their release was scheduled for December 30 under the December 27 Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC), following 72 hours of ceasefire, Thailand delayed their return, citing unfounded allegations of drone-related airspace violations.

However, the 18 soldiers were finally released yesterday.

Upon their return, the soldiers were transported by bus to Pailin Provincial Hall for medical check-ups. Along the way, thousands of people thronged the streets to welcome them home, with some moved to tears as they watched the soldiers return to their country.

The soldiers expressed their gratitude to the government, the Ministry of National Defence and everyone else who had made the effort to secure their release. They also thanked the people for their kind wishes and support.

At the provincial hall, they were met by Lieutenant General Hun Manith, Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA), Pailin Provincial Governor Ban Sreymom, General Y Chhean, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence, and Health Minister Chheang Ra.

“I am excited to see our brave heroes return home,” said one of the people cheering the soldiers’ return.

“They are finally reunited with their loved ones after being illegally detained by the enemy for more than five months,” she added.

Later the same day, the soldiers were flown by military helicopter from Battambang to Phnom Penh. At the former Phnom Penh International Airport, they received a formal welcome led by Men Sam An, Supreme Advisor to the King, and Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many, who is also Minister of Civil Service, before being reunited with their families and friends in tearful and emotional scenes.

Ros Nan, the wife of soldier Pan Kean, expressed her gratitude to the government for securing her husband’s return, calling it a priceless deed for her family.

After reuniting with their families, the soldiers were transferred by bus to the Peace Palace, where they met with Prime Minister Hun Manet. Along Russian Federation Boulevard, from the old airport to the Prime Minister’s Office, thousands of people again lined the road, waving Cambodian flags and cheering them on.

Yesterday evening, Mr Hun Manet met with the soldiers and shared a post with them on social media.

“Even though it’s been a while, we never forgot you,” he added.

The Ministry of National Defence yesterday expressed hope that the move would help restore mutual trust and confidence between the two neighbouring countries.

The release was carried out in line with Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee between Cambodia and Thailand which stipulates that the detained personnel is to be released after 72 hours of ceasefire is observed. The ceasefire took effect at noon on December 27.

The handover was conducted under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ministry said.

Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the release reflected the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration for peace between Cambodia and Thailand, signed on October 26 by Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Thai counterpart and witnessed of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the ASEAN Chair.

The ministry stressed that the government was committed to its pledge that no Cambodian soldier would be left behind, noting that all diplomatic channels and international humanitarian legal frameworks were fully explored to secure the soldiers’ release.

“The Royal Government and the people of Cambodia express our deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the coordination processes that led to today’s successful return. Cambodia remains hopeful that this release will significantly contribute to building mutual trust and confidence,” she said.

The ministry added that it hoped the release would help create favourable conditions for peace, stability and the normalisation of relations between Cambodia and Thailand for the benefit of both nations and their peoples.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said the repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers was carried out in accordance with bilateral agreements and international humanitarian law, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill and confidence-building between the two neighbouring countries.

The Thai side said the repatriation was also consistent with the spirit of the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.

The statement said that while in custody, the soldiers were treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and established humanitarian practices of the ICRC. The ICRC was allowed to conduct regular visits and facilitate correspondence between the soldiers and their families.

The ministry said the repatriation was conducted in line with the Third Geneva Convention relating to the treatment of prisoners of war. Prior to their return, the soldiers underwent medical examinations and were informed of their rights to ensure a voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation.

The ICRC and the ASEAN Observer Team were present to observe the handover, and the families of the soldiers were informed in advance of their return, the statement added.

“The repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers was undertaken as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building, as well as in adherence to international humanitarian principles. Thailand hopes that Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill through its concrete actions to promote sustained peace between the two countries,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Interior yesterday expressed its appreciation for another positive outcome from the implementation of the Royal Government’s “Quiet but Not Silent” strategy, namely the safe and dignified repatriation of the Cambodian heroes.

In a statement released yesterday, the ICRC supported the release and repatriation of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in connection with the international armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, acting in its role as a neutral humanitarian observer.

“Today’s release and repatriation of prisoners of war allows families to be reunited and marks an important step in translating the commitments outlined in the Joint Statement into action,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. “Respect for international humanitarian law, which includes the repatriation of prisoners of war at the end of active hostilities, is critical to helping build confidence between parties and supporting the path to lasting peace. I hope this operation helps lay the foundation for a new year rooted in the peace and stability that communities on both sides of the border need and deserve.”

During their detention, the ICRC made four visits to the prisoners, in accordance with its mandate under international humanitarian law.

The visits were to monitor their treatment and conditions of detention, as well as facilitate the exchange of messages with their families. The organisation conducts such work on the basis of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and follows a long-standing policy of confidentiality and bilateral dialogue with detaining authorities.

Under the Third Geneva Convention, prisoners of war must be released and repatriated without delay after the cessation of hostilities.

Until their final release and return, prisoners of war continue to benefit from the protections afforded by the Convention. The ICRC has emphasised that respect for these legal obligations is essential for building confidence between former adversaries and supporting prospects for peace and stability in post-conflict settings.

Foreign embassies have welcomed the release of the soldiers.

“Today’s release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers is a positive step that will help to rebuild confidence and trust between Cambodia and Thailand. Australia urges both sides to continue to uphold commitments made at the December 27 Special GBC meeting. Peace and stability in our region are in all our interests,” the Australian Embassy said in a statement yesterday.

Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno hailed the return of the soldiers.

“I hope the ceasefire will be maintained and the tensions between Cambodia and Thailand will be further reduced,” he said.

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans said the release of Cambodian soldiers constitutes a welcome development and represents a significant step in fostering mutual trust between Cambodia and Thailand.

“The European Union calls for the continued good-faith implementation of the commitments undertaken at the Special GBC meeting of December 27,” he said.

For his part, British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams said: “This is a positive development. The UK continues to encourage Cambodia and Thailand to take further steps to de-escalate tensions between their peoples and to build lasting peace.”

Under the December 27 Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee, both sides will maintain their current troop deployments without any further movement, and to refrain from all troop movements, including patrols towards the other side’s positions.

Both sides agreed that all arrangements under the Joint Statement are without prejudice to border demarcation and the international boundary between the two countries.

They also agreed to refer the matter to the Joint Boundary Commission to resume survey and demarcation work at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, with the aim of achieving lasting peace along the border.

-Khmer Times-