(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government of Cambodia formally requested the intervention of Malaysia, as the current ASEAN Chair, to help urge Thailand to swiftly and safely repatriate 20 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thai forces.

Maly Socheata spoke on Friday (Aug. 1) during a press conference on the current status of Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire.

“The Royal Government is actively negotiating and urging the Thai side to return our soldiers in accordance with international humanitarian law,” she said. “We have asked Malaysia to intervene and encourage Thailand to expedite their repatriation.”

She further affirmed that the Ministry of National Defence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces never abandon any of their members, regardless of the circumstances.

It should be recalled that 20 Cambodian soldiers were detained by Thai forces on 29 July 2025, after the ceasefire had taken effect. As of now, the Royal Government is in negotiations for their early repatriation, while the Thai side has confirmed that the Cambodian soldiers are safe.
=FRESH NEWS