{"data":{"slug":"thai-cambodia-conflict","title":"Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict","description":"The 817-kilometre Thai–Cambodian border dispute: the Ta Moan Thom confrontation of February 2025, the July 2025 armed clashes, the ceasefire and the capture of 20 Cambodian soldiers, the Kuala Lumpur peace process, and the soldiers' release.","tags":["thailand","cambodia","border","asean"],"status":"ACTIVE","factCount":12,"createdAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.958Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-01T01:50:37.273Z","facts":[{"id":"fact_9jk4wvm2pf","occurredAt":"2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:58.022Z","title":"On the conflict's first anniversary, Cambodia renews its call for an independent probe","body":"On July 28, 2026, one year after the ceasefire, Cambodia renewed calls for a transparent, independent investigation into the post-ceasefire detention of the 18 soldiers, arguing that accountability is needed to restore trust and ensure future ceasefire commitments are respected under international humanitarian law.","location":"Phnom Penh","actors":["Government of Cambodia"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/07/28/cambodia-renews-call-for-independent-probe-into-post-ceasefire-detention-of-18-soldiers","title":"Cambodia renews call for independent probe into post-ceasefire detention of 18 soldiers","publisher":"The Star","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["anniversary","accountability"],"url":"/fact/fact_9jk4wvm2pf"},{"id":"fact_5me3vqn8jd","occurredAt":"2025-12-31T03:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:58.019Z","title":"Eighteen soldiers return to Cambodia after 155 days in Thai custody","body":"The 18 Cambodian soldiers were released at 10:00 local time via the Prum–Ban Pak Kard checkpoint in Pailin province, under observation of the ASEAN Observer Team and the ICRC. They received a hero's welcome in Cambodia. The ICRC and EU described the release as a significant step toward rebuilding trust.","location":"Pailin province, Cambodia","actors":["ASEAN Observer Team","ICRC","Royal Thai Army"],"verdict":"VERIFIED","verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.akp.gov.kh/index.php/post/detail/357758","title":"18 Captured Cambodian Soldiers Return Home","publisher":"Agence Kampuchea Presse","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501818697/breaking-news-18-cambodian-soldiers-released-after-being-held-captive-by-thailand-for-155-days-video/","title":"18 Cambodian Soldiers Released after Being Held Captive by Thailand for 155 Days","publisher":"Khmer Times","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://akp.gov.kh/fr/post/detail/357765","title":"Porte-parole : La libération des soldats cambodgiens contribue à instaurer la confiance mutuelle","publisher":"Agence Kampuchea Presse","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["release","aot","icrc"],"url":"/fact/fact_5me3vqn8jd"},{"id":"fact_7gy2mkf5bx","occurredAt":"2025-12-27T05:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:58.017Z","title":"Border committee sets the condition for the release of the detained soldiers","body":"The 3rd Special Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee meeting produced a Joint Statement providing for the release of the detained soldiers after full implementation of a 72-hour ceasefire that took effect at noon on December 27, 2025.","location":"Phnom Penh","actors":["Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://akp.gov.kh/fr/post/detail/357765","title":"Porte-parole : La libération des soldats cambodgiens contribue à instaurer la confiance mutuelle","publisher":"Agence Kampuchea Presse","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["gbc","detention","ceasefire"],"url":"/fact/fact_7gy2mkf5bx"},{"id":"fact_1px6qzh4wd","occurredAt":"2025-11-08T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:58.014Z","title":"Cambodia briefs the diplomatic corps on implementation of the KL declaration","body":"Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held a diplomatic briefing on implementation of the 'Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on Peace, Cooperation and Prosperity', outlining priority areas and affirming Cambodia's commitment to fulfilling its obligations.","location":"Phnom Penh","actors":["Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.mfaic.gov.kh/en/media/view/2025-11-08-news-diplomatic-briefing-for-the-diplomatic-corps-accredited-to-the-kingdom-of-cambodia-on-the-implementa-13-12-04","title":"Diplomatic Briefing on the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on Peace, Cooperation and Prosperity","publisher":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["peace-agreement","implementation"],"url":"/fact/fact_1px6qzh4wd"},{"id":"fact_4tv7nxc3ra","occurredAt":"2025-10-26T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:58.010Z","title":"Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed by the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers","body":"Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand and Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia signed a Joint Declaration — the 'KL Peace Accord' — on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. It established an ASEAN Observer Team to verify the ceasefire, provided for withdrawal of heavy weapons, humanitarian de-mining, and committed Thailand to promptly release the detained soldiers once the measures were implemented.","location":"Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia","actors":["Anutin Charnvirakul","Hun Manet","Donald Trump","Anwar Ibrahim"],"verdict":"VERIFIED","verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.akp.gov.kh/post/detail/351634","title":"Cambodia, Thailand Sign Historic Peace Deal in Kuala Lumpur","publisher":"Agence Kampuchea Presse","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/3243/iid/434711","title":"Joint Declaration by Thai and Cambodian Prime Ministers on Outcomes of Their Meeting in Malaysia","publisher":"Government Public Relations Department of Thailand","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php//?id=2483429","title":"Cambodian PM Hails KL Peace Accord, Commits To Full Implementation Of The Deal","publisher":"Bernama","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["peace-agreement","asean","diplomacy"],"url":"/fact/fact_4tv7nxc3ra"},{"id":"fact_8lr4xvw2cy","occurredAt":"2025-09-08T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.992Z","title":"Royal Thai Army formally justifies the continued detention of the eighteen soldiers","body":"The Royal Thai Army issued a statement maintaining that the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers were captured during renewed hostilities initiated by Cambodia, and that they were treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions, with ICRC visits permitted.","location":"Bangkok","actors":["Royal Thai Army"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://jen-f.jiji.com/jc/eng_agt?g=nation&k=20250908NATION-40055145","title":"RTA justifies continued detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers","publisher":"Jiji Press","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["detention","ihl"],"url":"/fact/fact_8lr4xvw2cy"},{"id":"fact_6bp3qkd8us","occurredAt":"2025-08-01T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.989Z","title":"Two of the twenty detained soldiers are released; eighteen remain in Thai custody","body":"Thai authorities released two of the captured soldiers on August 1, 2025, citing injury and mental-health concerns. The remaining 18 stayed in Thai custody, described by Thailand as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions — a classification Cambodia rejected, arguing they were seized after the ceasefire.","location":"Thailand","actors":["Royal Thai Army","Royal Cambodian Armed Forces"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://asianews.network/cambodia-seeking-ways-to-secure-release-of-detained-soldiers-in-thailand/","title":"Cambodia seeking ways to secure release of detained soldiers in Thailand","publisher":"Asia News Network","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501818697/breaking-news-18-cambodian-soldiers-released-after-being-held-captive-by-thailand-for-155-days-video/","title":"18 Cambodian Soldiers Released after Being Held Captive by Thailand for 155 Days","publisher":"Khmer Times","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["detention"],"url":"/fact/fact_6bp3qkd8us"},{"id":"fact_2wj6bxz9me","occurredAt":"2025-07-29T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.986Z","title":"Twenty Cambodian soldiers captured hours after the ceasefire takes effect","body":"Cambodia says Thai forces captured 20 Cambodian soldiers in their trenches in Preah Vihear province hours after the ceasefire began, after inviting them to shake hands — an episode Cambodia's Information Minister called 'The Most Dangerous Handshake'. Of the 20, 18 were detained, one was killed and one escaped. Thailand says Cambodia breached the ceasefire first with small-arms and grenade attacks in the Phu Makua area (Sisaket) and that the detention occurred during renewed hostilities initiated by Cambodia.","location":"Preah Vihear province, Cambodia","actors":["Royal Thai Army","Royal Cambodian Armed Forces","Neth Pheaktra"],"verdict":"DISPUTED","verdictNote":"The two governments dispute whether the capture violated the ceasefire.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.akp.gov.kh/index.php/post/detail/376803","title":"Information Minister Recalls “Most Dangerous Handshake” Incident Following Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire","publisher":"Agence Kampuchea Presse","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://mfa.go.th/th/content/clarifications-on-allegations-from-cambodian-hrc-3?cate=685009d3b3a16936e03f0ca3","title":"Clarification on all allegations stated in the letter from the Cambodian Human Rights Committee","publisher":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501818697/breaking-news-18-cambodian-soldiers-released-after-being-held-captive-by-thailand-for-155-days-video/","title":"18 Cambodian Soldiers Released after Being Held Captive by Thailand for 155 Days","publisher":"Khmer Times","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["preah-vihear","detention","ceasefire"],"url":"/fact/fact_2wj6bxz9me"},{"id":"fact_5hc8trn3kp","occurredAt":"2025-07-27T17:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.982Z","title":"Ceasefire agreed in Putrajaya, effective midnight on July 28","body":"Thailand's Acting Prime Minister and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet met in Putrajaya, Malaysia, facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and agreed a ceasefire that took effect at midnight on July 28, 2025. The agreement ended five days of deadly border fighting.","location":"Putrajaya, Malaysia","actors":["Anwar Ibrahim","Hun Manet","Government of Thailand"],"verdict":"VERIFIED","verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/3243/iid/434903","title":"Summary of Press Briefing after the Signing Ceremony of Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration","publisher":"Government Public Relations Department of Thailand","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.mfaic.gov.kh/en/media/view/2025-11-08-news-diplomatic-briefing-for-the-diplomatic-corps-accredited-to-the-kingdom-of-cambodia-on-the-implementa-13-12-04","title":"Diplomatic Briefing on the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on Peace, Cooperation and Prosperity","publisher":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["ceasefire","asean","diplomacy"],"url":"/fact/fact_5hc8trn3kp"},{"id":"fact_9qd2vbm7ht","occurredAt":"2025-07-24T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.979Z","title":"Armed clashes break out along the 817-kilometre Thai–Cambodian border","body":"Fighting erupted along sections of the Thai–Cambodian border from July 24, 2025, marking the most serious escalation of the long-running boundary dispute in years. Reported casualty figures differed between the two sides. The clashes continued for five days until a ceasefire was brokered in Putrajaya.","location":"Thai–Cambodian border","actors":["Royal Thai Army","Royal Cambodian Armed Forces"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/3243/iid/434903","title":"Summary of Press Briefing after the Signing Ceremony of Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration","publisher":"Government Public Relations Department of Thailand","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/07/28/cambodia-renews-call-for-independent-probe-into-post-ceasefire-detention-of-18-soldiers","title":"Cambodia renews call for independent probe into post-ceasefire detention of 18 soldiers","publisher":"The Star","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["armed-conflict","border"],"url":"/fact/fact_9qd2vbm7ht"},{"id":"fact_3nf8dwk2jz","occurredAt":"2025-06-02T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.976Z","title":"Cambodia says it will seek a World Court ruling on disputed border areas","body":"Following a May 28 exchange of fire near Morokot village in which one Cambodian soldier was killed, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to seek an International Court of Justice ruling on several disputed border areas, including the locations of the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples. Thailand's foreign minister said its border actions were proportionate and lawful.","location":"Phnom Penh","actors":["Hun Manet","Government of Cambodia","Government of Thailand"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2025/06/02/fes16-cambodia-thai-border.html","title":"Cambodia says will seek World Court ruling on border disputes with Thailand that led to clash","publisher":"The Week","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["icj","ta-moan-thom","diplomacy"],"url":"/fact/fact_3nf8dwk2jz"},{"id":"fact_7k2m9xq4wv","occurredAt":"2025-02-13T12:00:00.000Z","recordedAt":"2026-08-31T23:57:57.971Z","title":"Troops confront each other at Ta Moan Thom temple; both sides later play down the incident","body":"Cambodian soldiers and visitors sang the Cambodian national anthem at Ta Moan Thom, an ancient Khmer temple in a border area where delimitation is incomplete (Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia / Surin, Thailand). Thai troops intervened, leading to a verbal confrontation. No casualties were reported. Both militaries later described the situation as normal, with border liaison officers meeting to maintain calm.","location":"Ta Moan Thom, Thai–Cambodian border","actors":["Royal Thai Army","Royal Cambodian Army"],"verdict":null,"verdictNote":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://cambojanews.com/ta-moan-thom-temple-situation-stabilizes-but-disputes-on-rightful-location/","title":"Ta Moan Thom Temple Situation Stabilizes, But Disputes On Rightful Location Persist","publisher":"CamboJA News","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"},{"url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40053439","title":"Thai Army addresses border conflict with Cambodia, reaffirms commitment to sovereignty and international law","publisher":"The Nation Thailand","retrievedAt":"2026-08-31"}],"tags":["ta-moan-thom","surin","oddar-meanchey"],"url":"/fact/fact_7k2m9xq4wv"}]}}