“I can confirm that our 18 heroic soldiers arrived safely on Cambodian soil around 10:00 [03:00 in Lisbon],” said Cambodia’s Information Minister, Neth Pheaktra, to the Agence France-Presse (AFP). Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the release in a statement, describing it as a “demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building.”
“I am very happy. I can’t wait to see him. I miss him so much,” said Voeung Vy, the father of one of the released soldiers, while waiting for his son’s return to Phnom Penh.
The two countries reached a ceasefire last Saturday after three weeks of clashes along their 800-kilometer shared border, which left nearly one million displaced on both sides. The territorial boundaries have been disputed for decades, dating back to the French colonial period.
According to official figures recognized by the United Nations, the recent clashes resulted in 47 deaths: 26 on the Thai side and 21 on the Cambodian side. In a joint statement, both countries promised to freeze military positions and cooperate in demining operations in the border regions and in combating cybercrime.
Signed by the ministers of defense, the statement noted Thailand’s release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers after 72 hours of ceasefire. The truce was threatened on Monday when Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the agreement by sending 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) over Thai territory.
The Thai military indicated that more than 250 drones were detected entering the country in the border area. For the Thai Armed Forces, Cambodia’s actions were considered a provocation and a violation of measures “intended to reduce tensions” between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs downplayed the incident, calling it a “minor issue,” and the Cambodian Ministry of Defense later denied any drone incursions.
In July, the initial phase of confrontations resulted in 43 deaths over five days before a ceasefire was reached. Another agreement was signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the presence of the U.S. President but was subsequently suspended by Thailand after several Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in the border area.
Platform with Lusa
