As of 8 October 2025, 18 Cambodian soldiers had spent 71 days in what Cambodia described as unlawful detention after being captured by Thai troops. The report questioned how they had been living, whether they could sleep comfortably and whether they had enough food. Their families and people across Cambodia were waiting for their return home and reunion with relatives.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Cambodia continued urging Thailand to release the men as soon as possible so they could return safely to their families in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Cambodian Human Rights Committee had also submitted two requests to the UN human-rights chief seeking their release, on 1 August and 2 October 2025. According to the report, Cambodia had not received a response from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights by that time.
Cambodia’s government continued working through all available mechanisms to secure the 18 soldiers’ swift and safe return. At a full Cabinet meeting on 26 September, the Cambodian prime minister expressed sympathy for the soldiers held by Thai forces in what he called unlawful detention, stressing that the government had never forgotten them. He said it would continue using all mechanisms to seek their release and reunion with their families. The Defence Ministry spokeswoman added that neither the ministry nor the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces would ever abandon any of their personnel, whatever the circumstances.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television. By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
