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Thailand Releases Cambodian POWs, Paving Way for Border Peace
Thailand officially released 18 Cambodian prisoners of war on Wednesday, honoring the terms of a recent ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating the long-standing border conflict between the two nations. The soldiers, held for five months, were repatriated at the border checkpoint between Thailand’s Chanthaburi province and Cambodia’s Pailin province.
The release was a key stipulation in the ceasefire agreement signed last Saturday by the defense ministers of both countries. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the repatriation was a “demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building,” aligning with international humanitarian principles. Similarly, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry expressed optimism that the move would “create an environment conducive to peace, stability, and the full normalization of relations.”
The detention of the Cambodian soldiers had been a significant obstacle to improved relations, with Cambodia’s government utilizing their continued captivity to galvanize national sentiment. Thailand had maintained its right to hold the soldiers under the Geneva Conventions, asserting they could be detained until the cessation of hostilities. Thai authorities confirmed that the prisoners received visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross and other protections afforded by international humanitarian law.
Cambodia’s defense ministry reiterated its unwavering commitment, stating the government “has remained steadfast in the promise made to the families of the 18 soldiers and the Cambodian people: that no soldier would be left behind.”
The ceasefire agreement mandated the soldiers’ release if a 72-hour period of sustained peace followed its implementation at noon on Saturday. While this period concluded on Tuesday, Thai authorities initially cited concerns about alleged Cambodian drone activity along the border as a reason for further evaluation before proceeding with the repatriation.
The circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ capture in July, coinciding with an earlier ceasefire, have been a point of contention. Cambodian officials claimed their soldiers approached Thai positions with friendly intentions, while Thai officials stated the Cambodians exhibited hostile intent and trespassed into Thai territory, leading to their capture. Of the original 20 Cambodian soldiers captured, two were repatriated earlier for medical reasons.
Previous attempts at de-escalation, including a July ceasefire brokered by Malaysia and influenced by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, proved fragile.
Despite these agreements, a bitter propaganda war and continued minor cross-border violence persisted, escalating into widespread heavy fighting in early December. Since December 7th, Thailand has reported 26 soldier deaths and one civilian fatality directly from combat, alongside 44 civilian deaths.