Cambodia Urges Release of Soldiers Detained by Thailand

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense has intensified its efforts to secure the release of 18 soldiers who have been detained by Thai authorities for the past 12 days. According to Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry, the Cambodian government has made repeated requests to Thailand, citing international humanitarian law and aligning with calls from partner countries and international organizations.

The circumstances surrounding the soldiers' detention remain somewhat unclear, but it is believed to be linked to a border dispute in a remote area.

While details are scarce, sources suggest the incident occurred during a routine patrol near a contested border region The Cambodian government maintains that its soldiers were operating within established protocols and did not intentionally violate Thai territory The detention has raised concerns within Cambodia and the broader ASEAN community The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with its Thai counterparts to resolve the situation through diplomatic channels The situation underscores the sensitivity of border issues within the ASEAN region, particularly in areas where demarcation lines are not clearly defined Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet is reportedly closely monitoring the situation and has emphasized the importance of maintaining amicable relations with Thailand.

He has also stressed the need for a swift resolution that respects the sovereignty of both nations.

Background

Observers note that the incident poses a challenge to the traditionally strong relationship between Cambodia and Thailand, both of which are key members of ASEAN The ongoing detention also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for conflict resolution along the Cambodian-Thai border Experts suggest that both countries should consider strengthening joint border patrols and establishing a clear communication channel to prevent future incidents This incident comes at a sensitive time, as ASEAN seeks to enhance regional security cooperation The Cambodian government is under increasing pressure from the public and opposition parties to secure the soldiers' release

Protests have been reported in some parts of the country, calling for stronger action from the government. The situation is further complicated by the upcoming ASEAN summit, where regional security is expected to be a key topic of discussion.

Phnom Penh hopes to resolve the issue before the summit to avoid further embarrassment and maintain regional stability The next steps will involve continued diplomatic negotiations between the two countries, and likely involve ASEAN mediation if a quick resolution is not achieved