Thailand returns 18 Cambodian soldiers under ceasefire deal

Thailand today repatriated 18 detained Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia held during the border clashes in July to their homeland.

The return was in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, reached between the two countries last week, which stipulates that the Cambodian soldiers would be returned once the ceasefire, signed on December 27, had been sustained for 72 hours.

Their release was also in the spirit of the joint declaration, signed between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, according to a statement from the Thai Foreign Ministry.

The handover took place at 10am at the Ban Pakkard checkpoint in Chanthaburi’s Pong Nam Ron district.

The statement said that, during their detention, the Cambodian soldiers were treated in line with international humanitarian laws, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the rules and practices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

ICRC representatives were allowed to visit them regularly during captivity and helped facilitate communication with their families.

The repatriation process followed the Third Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. Before being returned, the soldiers underwent medical examinations and were informed of their rights, to ensure their return was voluntary, safe and dignified.

The ICRC also notified their families and both the ICRC and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) were present to observe the handover.

Bangkok described the return of the soldiers as a reaffirmation of Thailand’s adherence to humanitarian principles. Thai officials expressed hope that Cambodia would reciprocate through concrete actions to help sustain peace along the border and good bilateral relations.