BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand repatriated 18 Cambodian prisoners of war at a border checkpoint after a 72-hour ceasefire, fulfilling a key pledge in a recent border agreement.
Prisoners handed over at Chanthaburi border post
The transfer of the 18 Cambodian soldiers took place on Wednesday morning at the permanent border checkpoint Ban Phak Krad in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. The men had been in Thai custody since mid-July and were held for a total of 155 days. According to the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, the handover proceeded in an orderly manner without disturbances, as Cambodian authorities took charge of the soldiers at the checkpoint while security forces along the border remained on high alert.
Ceasefire conditions and border accord implemented
The release was directly linked to a 72-hour truce between Thailand and Cambodia, agreed within the framework of the Joint Border Commission. Officials confirmed that the ceasefire period passed without any clashes. In a statement issued at 10:00 a.m., the Foreign Ministry said the transfer complied with Article 11 of the Joint Declaration adopted on 27 December 2025 at the third special session of the General Border Committee, which stipulated that Thailand would return the soldiers after an uninterrupted 72 hours of ceasefire.
Reference to wider peace commitments
The statement also referred to the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of 26 October 2025, which emphasized peaceful conduct along the border and implementation of a broader peace plan. The ministry underlined that the handover was intended to reinforce trust with Cambodia and to demonstrate adherence to humanitarian principles. Bangkok indicated that the move formed part of wider diplomatic efforts since the 27 December truce and the Kuala Lumpur declaration.
POW treatment under Geneva Conventions
According to Thai authorities, the 18 soldiers were treated throughout their detention in line with the 1949 Geneva Conventions, in particular the Third Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had regularly reviewed detention conditions. Thai authorities allowed periodic Red Cross visits and enabled the forwarding of letters from the prisoners to their families, and medical examinations were carried out before the repatriation.
Monitored handover by ICRC and ASEAN
Officials stressed that the return was voluntary, safe and dignified. Observers from ICRC and ASEAN were present during the transfer and confirmed that procedures complied with international humanitarian standards. They also reported that risks to soldiers and personnel at the border were kept to a minimum.
Security concerns despite diplomatic progress
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the repatriation was consistent with broader diplomatic initiatives following the late-December ceasefire and the Kuala Lumpur declaration. At the same time, security concerns persisted, with military circles warning there were indications that Cambodia might be preparing for a possible third round of hostilities. Thailand therefore kept rapid-reaction forces on standby and put measures in place to prevent new border incidents.
Motives and reputational considerations
Senior officials said one motive for the prompt release was concern that a potential serious illness among the prisoners could harm Thailand’s international reputation. As a result, special emphasis was placed on medical precautions, legal compliance and orderly procedures. Bangkok viewed the carefully documented process as demonstrating operational capability, respect for the law and humanitarian standards.
US welcomes release as confidence-building step
The United States also welcomed the development.
“The United States welcomes the determined efforts of the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to uphold the ceasefire agreement of 27 December. (…) We welcome Thailand’s release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers as a positive step toward restoring neighborly relations and confidence.”
said Thomas Pigott, deputy spokesperson of the US State Department. Thai officials made clear that while the release might ease tensions, it did not amount to an all-clear, with military and diplomatic tracks expected to continue in parallel.
Ongoing measures and uncertain outlook
Authorities stated that security measures along the border would remain in place and that international observers would continue to be involved. Further steps were to be strictly guided by diplomatic and legal frameworks. The 155-day internment thus ended in a controlled process documented by international bodies, as Bangkok sought to send a strong signal at the start of the year while acknowledging that the conflict could flare up again.