After five long months apart, the streets of Phnom Penh transformed into rivers of emotion and national pride. On this New Year’s Eve afternoon, thousands of Cambodians gathered to welcome the 18 soldiers who had just returned from detention in Thailand — a moment that, beyond collective relief, also raises deep questions about the future of relations between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

After months of tension and intense diplomatic efforts, 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand were finally released and welcomed home, a historic moment that has generated a powerful sense of relief and renewed hope among Cambodians nationwide.

Thailand has finally released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during intense border clashes in July 2025, marking a pivotal step toward de-escalating longstanding tensions between the two nations. This humanitarian gesture comes after months of diplomatic wrangling, fragile ceasefires, and mutual accusations, bringing relief to families and easing regional anxieties.

The July 2025 Cambodia-Thailand border conflict marked a structural discontinuity in Cambodia's tourism economy, far beyond a cyclical downturn. Thai arrivals plummeted 90.9% in November, confirming the near-total loss of the country's largest land-dependent source market amid physical closures and confidence suppression.

As of this evening, Thailand has still not released the 18 Cambodian soldiers captured on July 29 during border clashes, despite the expiration of the 72-hour ceasefire stipulated in the bilateral agreement signed on December 27.

In an atmosphere filled with reverence, a prayer ceremony was organized on Monday evening at the Win-Win Memorial, located in Sangkat Prek Tasek, in the Chroy Changvar district of Phnom Penh.

Le gouvernement cambodgien se prépare à accueillir, dès demain midi, les 18 soldats cambodgiens détenus depuis plus de cinq mois par l’armée thaïlandaise, a confirmé le vice-Premier ministre et ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale, H.E. Prak Sokhonn.

In the steep cliffs of the Dangrek Mountains in Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia, there is far more than an ancient Khmer temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beneath its rugged terrain, deposits of gold, iron, copper, and precious stones have fueled decades of desire and tension.

Following the success of the initial exhibitions in Phnom Penh, the wave of solidarity continues. From January 10th to 12th, the prestigious Knaï Bang Chatt / Kep West will host an exceptional charity auction. The goal: to support artist Khun Vannak’s battle against cancer and provide aid to refugees.