(Phnom Penh): In a commemorative message titled "The Most Dangerous Handshake," Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra recalled that after the ceasefire agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand entered into force at 12:00 a.m. on 28 July 2025, the Cambodian people and frontline forces hoped that the bloodshed would end and that peace would begin to return.

However, on the morning of that same day, it was reported that Thai soldiers approached Cambodian troops and offered to shake hands, creating the appearance of reconciliation and an end to hostilities. Soon afterwards, the Thai forces allegedly surrounded and arrested the Cambodian soldiers, he added.

He said of the 20 Cambodian soldiers involved, 18 were detained, one was killed, and one managed to escape. The 18 detained soldiers were subsequently held as prisoners of war (PoWs) until they were released on 31 December 2025 under efforts of Royal Government of Cambodia and International community.

The minister questioned whether the detention could legitimately be regarded as the capture of prisoners of war, given that the ceasefire had already entered into force and active fighting had ceased.

From Cambodia’s perspective, he said, the incident did not constitute a battlefield capture during active combat but rather involved the exploitation of trust established under the ceasefire to detain Cambodian troops. Their confinement for more than five months caused profound distress to the soldiers, their families, and Cambodian society as a whole.

Neth Pheaktra said a handshake should be a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and mutual trust, not be used as a means to lure soldiers into detention. It becomes a symbol of betrayal and shattered confidence. Such conduct can seriously undermine future peacebuilding and damage trust between the two sides.

He called for transparent clarification, an independent investigation, and accountability, saying these measures are necessary to ensure that ceasefire commitments are respected, military personnel are protected in accordance with international humanitarian law, and similar incidents are never repeated.
=FRESH NEWS