In a significant diplomatic development, Thailand has repatriated 18 Cambodian military personnel who had been detained since July following intense border hostilities. The prisoner transfer, executed on Wednesday, forms a crucial component of the freshly brokered ceasefire agreement established last Saturday between the Southeast Asian neighbors.
The handover operation, momentarily postponed due to Thai allegations of ceasefire violations involving unauthorized drone incursions, ultimately proceeded under substantial diplomatic persuasion from China. The released soldiers, clad in civilian attire, received an emotional welcome as they crossed through the designated border checkpoint into Cambodian custody.
This exchange follows weeks of renewed armed conflict along the contentious border region that displaced approximately one million residents and reignited longstanding territorial disputes. The current ceasefire framework mandates both nations to maintain existing frontlines, prohibit military reinforcements, and facilitate the safe return of displaced civilians to border communities.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry characterized the soldiers’ return as a constructive measure toward fostering “mutual trust and confidence,” while Thailand’s Foreign Ministry described the action as a “demonstration of goodwill” expecting reciprocal cooperation from Phnom Penh.
The border tensions, rooted in century-old territorial disagreements, escalated dramatically this year following nationalist demonstrations at a disputed temple complex. Previous ceasefire attempts, including a Trump-brokered agreement in October, collapsed earlier this month when renewed clashes erupted. Despite previous failures, current indications suggest the latest truce arrangement is maintaining stability along the border region.