AKP Phnom Penh, December 31, 2025 --

The Embassies of Japan and Germany in Cambodia this afternoon issued separate statements welcoming the release of the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers by the Thai side. 

“I hope the ceasefire will be maintained and the tensions between Cambodia and Thai will be further reduced,” said H.E. Ueno Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia. “I wish everyone a Happy New Year!”

For his part, German Ambassador H.E. Stefan Messerer stated that this is a progressive step toward a more resilient ceasefire. “This development marks a positive shift and creates an opportunity to rebuild trust. Germany remains fully committed to supporting peaceful dialogue and long-term stability," he stressed. 

The 18 Cambodian soldiers were released and safely returned to Cambodia at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 31 via the Prum International Border Crossing in Pailin province, under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Their return follows the agreements stipulated in the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting held on Dec. 27, 2025. Under the agreement, after the full implementation of the ceasefire for 72 hours, the 18 Cambodian soldiers were to be released and returned to Cambodia in accordance with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on Oct. 26, 2025.

It is recalled that only a few hours after the ceasefire took effect at midnight on July 28, 2025, 20 Cambodian soldiers were captured by the Thai military. Two of them were released and returned to Cambodia on Aug. 1, 2025.

By C. Nika