Samdech Techo Hun Sen Questions Thailand’s Refusal to Return 18 Cambodian Soldiers

Samdech Techo Hun Sen Questions Thailand’s Refusal to Return 18 Cambodian Soldiers

Phnom Penh, August 4, 2025 — Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has publicly questioned the rationale behind Thailand’s refusal to return 18 Cambodian soldiers allegedly captured following the formal implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement.

In a post published on his formal Facebook account on the afternoon of August 4, 2025, Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that, after a two-hour rest, he resumed duties by reviewing frontline developments and reaffirmed the importance of strict adherence to the ceasefire and strengthening defensive measures against any form of violation.

He revealed that he had engaged in a high-level discussion with the Prime Minister to expedite Cambodia’s request through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regarding the case of 18 Cambodian troops reportedly apprehended by Thai forces. These soldiers were allegedly detained within the premises of a Cambodian military encampment approximately eight hours after the bilateral ceasefire agreement officially took effect.

Samdech Techo emphasized that such an act constitutes a clear breach of the ceasefire terms, which explicitly prohibit firing, the movement of troops, and any increase in military deployments.

“Why is Thailand refusing to return the 18 Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia?” he asked, raising concerns about the Thai side’s adherence to the agreement and calling for international attention to the issue.

The statement underscores Cambodia’s stance that all parties must honor the commitments made under the truce to ensure peace and stability in the border areas and to prevent further escalation ahead of the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting scheduled for August 7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.