Thailand Releases 18 Cambodian Soldiers After New Ceasefire Agreement

Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers as part of a renewed ceasefire agreement between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, marking a significant step toward de-escalation after weeks of intense and deadly border clashes. Authorities from both countries confirmed that the handover took place on Wednesday, easing tensions that had displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.

The release follows a fresh ceasefire that came into effect at noon on Saturday, ending nearly 20 days of fighting along the disputed frontier. The clashes had resulted in at least 101 deaths and forced more than half a million people to flee their homes in Thailand and Cambodia. The conflict saw a sharp escalation, including the use of fighter jets, artillery shelling, and rocket fire, raising serious regional security concerns.

According to Cambodia’s defence officials, the soldiers were transferred at a designated border checkpoint at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday after spending 155 days in Thai custody. Cambodian authorities welcomed the development, describing the return of the detained personnel as both symbolic and humanitarian. The governor of Battambang province referred to the soldiers as “heroic,” emphasising their service and the emotional significance of their return to their families and country.

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the detainees had been held in accordance with international humanitarian law and stressed that their release demonstrated Bangkok’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement. The ministry added that the move reflected Thailand’s intention to stabilise the situation and prevent a further deterioration in bilateral relations.

The border tensions had flared up again earlier this month after the collapse of a previous ceasefire arrangement. That earlier deal had been brokered with international involvement, including mediation efforts linked to Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Its breakdown led to renewed hostilities, underscoring the fragility of peace efforts in the long-running dispute.

Under the terms of the latest ceasefire, Thailand had agreed to release the 18 Cambodian soldiers provided the truce held for at least 72 hours. However, the handover was briefly delayed after Thai authorities accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire, allegations that Phnom Penh firmly rejected. Despite this setback, both sides ultimately proceeded with the release, signalling cautious adherence to the agreement.

The repatriation was supervised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose president described the event as an important confidence-building measure. She said the release allowed families to be reunited and represented a concrete step toward implementing the commitments outlined in the joint ceasefire statement.

International reaction to the development has been largely positive. The United States welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached on December 27 and described the release of the soldiers as a constructive move toward restoring trust and improving neighbourly relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Observers note that sustained international engagement may be crucial to ensuring the ceasefire holds and that further humanitarian and political steps follow.

While the release of the detained soldiers has reduced immediate tensions, analysts caution that long-term stability will depend on continued dialogue, monitoring of the ceasefire, and progress on resolving the underlying border dispute. For now, the exchange stands as a rare moment of cooperation after weeks of violence, offering a tentative opening for peace in a conflict that has repeatedly threatened to spiral out of control.