When the 18 Cambodian Soldiers Returned to Their Homeland After 155 Days of Detention in Thailand

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.

The applause, waving flags, and tears of joy formed a rare, almost historic scene. “I couldn’t believe it anymore, I thought I would never see my son again,” confided Sokha, the mother of one of the soldiers, her voice trembling.

These men, captured at the border last August under circumstances that remain unclear, represent far more than just a homecoming — they symbolize the complexity of a fragile peace between two nations bound by history and geography.

An Incident That Revived Tensions

According to Thailand, the arrest of the Cambodian soldiers was justified by an alleged inadvertent incursion into a contested border area near Sa Kaeo province. The Cambodian authorities, however, have always maintained that these soldiers were on a legitimate surveillance mission as part of coordinated operations.

From Quiet Diplomacy to a Symbolic Reconciliation

Behind the scenes of the release, intense diplomatic activity took place. Sources close to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs speak of several rounds of negotiations held in Bangkok and Vientiane, under the unofficial mediation of regional ASEAN partners. The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh issued a communiqué expressing a mutual desire to “strengthen cross-border cooperation and avoid any new incidents that could harm bilateral relations.”

Political analyst Chhay Sophal, a specialist in Cambodian-Thai relations, believes this release marks “a cautious step toward normalization,” while also reminding that border disputes remain sensitive:

“This type of incident tests the resilience of peace agreements. Both countries must now invest in military diplomacy and local dialogue between border communities.”

And Now? The Next Steps in the Peace Process

As the soldiers return to their units and families, many observers are wondering what comes next. The release could open the door to strengthening joint border control mechanisms already discussed within the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC).

According to a report from the ASEAN Studies Centre (2025), increased cooperation on economic development across the border — including special cross-border trade zones — could serve as a calming force against future military tensions.

However, as veteran Royal Army officer Chea Dara puts it, “as long as borders are not clearly defined, any incident can rekindle mistrust… Peace is as fragile as a line of sand on the Mekong.”

Voices of Those Who Waited

For the families, relief was mixed with pure emotion. “Every night, I lit a candle hoping for their return,” recounts Ran Thida, the wife of one of the freed soldiers, from her village in Kampong Cham. Neighbors decorated with simple garlands and celebrated the homecoming with shared meals — in the traditional spirit of joyful reunions in rural Cambodia.

The soldiers themselves have been discreet. Some are said to have endured questioning and difficult conditions, according to local NGOs, but all agree that their solidarity with one another helped them endure. One, speaking anonymously, whispered: “We knew our country would not forget us.”

A Peace to Be Consolidated

The return of the 18 soldiers does not erase the scars of mistrust, but it rekindles hope for diplomacy based on restraint and mutual respect. For Cambodia and Thailand, this symbolic moment could become the foundation of renewed dialogue — if both armies and governments manage to turn this tense episode into a lasting opportunity for cooperation.