(Phnom Penh): Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, reaffirmed that Cambodia continues to demand Thailand honor the ceasefire agreement and immediately release 18 Cambodian soldiers unlawfully detained for the past 26 days.

Maly Socheata spoke on Monday (Aug. 25) during a press briefing on the implementation of the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire.

“Cambodia urges the Thai side to respect the ceasefire by returning the 18 soldiers so they may reunite with their families, who have waited anxiously day and night,” the spokesperson underscored.

She added that the arrests took place in direct violation of the law, as Thai troops detained the Cambodian soldiers immediately after the ceasefire came into effect on 29 July 2025. The detention has now been 26 days.

The spokesperson underscored that the Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the international community will continue to press Thailand to fulfill its obligations under international law.

“We will never abandon or leave behind any of our soldiers," she affirmed.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata added that Cambodia remains committed to peacebuilding and will continue working with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN members, and relevant partners to ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, while resolving disputes peacefully in line with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.
=FRESH NEWS