Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

A Cambodian soldier, who had been captured by Thai soldiers in July, smiles after his release, as he walks at a checkpoint along the border with Thailand, in Cambodia's Pailin province on December 31, 2025. Thailand on December 31 released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July, both governments said, after a fresh ceasefire between the neighbours held for more than three days following weeks of deadly border clashes. - AFP

PHNOM PENH: Thailand on Wednesday (Dec 31) released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July, both governments said, after a fresh ceasefire between the neighbours held for more than three days following weeks of deadly border clashes.

"I can confirm that our 18 heroic soldiers have safely arrived on Cambodian soil at around 10:00 am (0300 GMT)," Cambodia's information minister Neth Pheaktra told AFP.