Cambodia has formally demanded the immediate release of 20 soldiers currently held by Thai forces, after their capture just hours after an unconditional ceasefire came into effect this week, a Cambodian defense spokesperson confirmed.
Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Under-Secretary of State and spokesperson for Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, told reporters that 21 Cambodian soldiers were detained at around 7:30 a.m. on July 29, shortly after the truce began. One of the soldiers has been returned deceased, she said.
“We call on the Thai side to return all 20 military personnel to Cambodia as soon as possible,” she urged.
Cambodia, with Malaysia acting as the current ASEAN chair, is in active negotiations with Thailand to secure the soldiers’ release, according to the Defense Ministry.
The Royal Thai Army confirmed it had detained between 18 and 20 Cambodian soldiers who surrendered during clashes in Si Sa Ket province’s Sam Tae border area.
Thai officials insist the soldiers are being treated in accordance with international law and will be returned once legal procedures, including immigration and military reviews, are completed.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and senior military officials said the repatriation would proceed only after due verification of the soldiers’ status.
The capture follows five days of armed clashes that erupted on July 24 along disputed border areas, driven by long-standing territorial tensions.
The fighting displaced thousands of civilians and left dozens dead or injured, prompting urgent regional intervention.
A ceasefire, brokered with Malaysia’s mediation under ASEAN, took effect at midnight on July 28, as both nations faced mounting international pressure to halt hostilities.
