(Phnom Penh): Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokesperson of Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, reported that on the 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning (Dec. 31), at the Prum International Point of Entry, Pailin Province, 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been detained by the Thai side for 155 days were released and safely returned to the motherland.

The release of these soldiers was conducted in accordance with Point 11 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand, signed on 27 December 2025. This provision stipulated the release following full compliance with the 72-hour ceasefire, which took effect at 12:00 p.m. noon on 27 December 2025. The return of our 18 soldiers is under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to the spokesperson, the release also aligns with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on Peace Deal between Cambodia-Thailand, signed on 26 October 2025, between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and under the witness of US President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The Royal Government of Cambodia, and particularly Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, 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. To achieve today’s release and reunite these soldiers with their waiting families, the Government utilized all available diplomatic channels and international humanitarian legal frameworks to ensure that our soldiers can be reunited with their beloved families, who have been waiting for them with such longing.

The Royal Government and the people of Cambodia express our deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the coordination processes that led to today's successful return. Cambodia remains hopeful that this release will significantly contribute to building mutual trust and confidence. We believe this creates an environment conducive to peace, stability, and the full normalization of relations for the benefit of both nations and their people in the near future.
=FRESH NEWS