Overview
- Officials said the 18 troops crossed back into Cambodia at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday after roughly 155 days in Thai custody since their capture in late July.
- Thailand’s foreign ministry said the detainees were treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, and the repatriation was framed as a goodwill measure.
- The ceasefire took effect at noon Saturday and paused about 20 days of cross-border fighting that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million civilians, with jets, rockets and artillery used.
- The return was delayed by a day after Thailand alleged ceasefire breaches, including drone activity, claims that Cambodian officials denied.
- ASEAN observers and the ICRC monitored the transfer, as regional diplomacy involving China, the United States and Malaysia continues and the sides discuss demining and civilian returns along the disputed border.