(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen mentioned the case of the 18 Cambodian soldiers who were captured under the captivity of the Thai military just hours after the ceasefire was declared. Samdech Techo has already regarded them as having been martyred for the nation. Samdech Techo Hun Sen also said that from the very first moment the 18 Cambodian soldiers were arrested, it was clear that they were being held as bargaining chips.

Samdech Techo spoke on Monday (Nov. 17) during the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks at the National Institute of Education.

Earlier, the Thai 2nd Army Region claimed he would release the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers on 12 November 2025. These 18 soldiers were among 20 Cambodian troops arrested by Thai soldiers at An Ses checkpoint, Choam Khsant district, Preah Vihear province, several hours after the ceasefire had taken effect.

After arresting the 20 soldiers on 4 August 2025, the Thai side released two of them, of which both showing abnormal conditions, with one disabled and mentally unstable. However, the release of the remaining 18 Cambodian soldiers has still not happened.

“When Cambodian soldiers were arrested on Cambodian territory and taken as hostages, where was international law? He also questioned the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, who has remained silent on this issue, despite often criticizing Cambodia on human rights matters in the past,” Samdech Techo underscored.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his condolences to the families and relatives of the 18 Cambodian soldiers, whom he considered already sacrificed for the nation. He added that these soldiers are not prisoners of war.

The Senate president continued, “To be honest, I believe my assessment is correct. Frankly speaking, I regarded them [18 soldiers] as martyrs for the nation. It is obvious that they [Thai side] would use this matter or that matter to bargain for something. And the soldiers themselves know this, and so do their families.”

“In this world, where is the international customary law? Where is Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, who is Thai? Why does he say nothing? Before, he always commented, but now he is silent. In wars, prisoners of war are often exchanged, but in this case, they arrested our soldiers on our territory after the ceasefire, taking them as hostages. I ask the Cambodian people to understand,” Samdech added.

It has been 111 days since 18 Cambodian soldiers were captured under the captivity of the Thai military. Cambodia urgently calls on the Thai side to release them as soon as possible, so that they may be safely reunited with their families in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The release of these 18 Cambodian soldiers is one of the conditions in the Joint Statement on Cambodia–Thailand Peace signed on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, witnessed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
=FRESH NEWS