THREAD
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.