Spokesperson: Withholding Information on Captured Armed Forces Prioritizes Their Safety

Spokesperson: Withholding Information on Captured Armed Forces Prioritizes Their Safety

Phnom Penh – During a press conference held at the Office of the Council of Ministers on the morning of Thursday, July 31, 2025, Lieutenant General Maly Suchata, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, stated that withholding information regarding national forces captured by the Thai military was done with the primary objective of preventing harm to those detained personnel.

“In relation to our 20 compatriots currently under Thai control, the decision to withhold information was not an act of concealment. Rather, in the absence of clarity about their situation, the Royal Government’s leadership, as well as the military command, must exercise utmost caution and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety. Publicly disclosing such information at the wrong time could potentially endanger their lives.”, she emphasized.

“I kindly ask the public to understand that all decisions made by the Royal Government—including when and how much information is made public—are aimed solely at ensuring the highest level of protection for the lives and safety of our forces, especially while they are being held captive beyond our jurisdiction.”, the Spokesperson further explained.

However, General Maly Suchata also made clear:
“This does not mean that the Royal Government is inactive or indifferent about bringing our soldiers back. In fact, immediately after the incident occurred, our local leadership contacted their Thai counterparts to seek the swift and safe return of our personnel.”

The General also appealed to the Thai side to act responsibly and facilitate the release of the detained Cambodian forces, stating:
“At the same time, we call upon the Thai side to ensure the well-being of our soldiers in custody and to promptly return them to Cambodia in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

It should be noted that, according to Brigadier General Chan Sophaktra, Commander of the Operational Sector based in Preah Vihear Province, who spoke to a delegation of military attachés from 13 countries during their inspection of the border on July 30, 2025, Thai troops had used a deceptive tactic—waving a hand to lure Cambodian forces for talks. When the Cambodians approached, the Thai side raised their weapons and detained 21 Cambodian soldiers on July 29, 2025, after the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement had already come into effect.