Thai military captures 18 Cambodian military personnel
In the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province, a border clash between the Royal Thai Army and Cambodian soldiers has resulted in the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers. The clash, which began with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons and mortars into Thai territory, escalated into a significant incident on July 29, 2025.
According to the army spokesperson, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, Thai troops successfully counter-attacked and cleared Cambodian positions following the ceasefire breach. The 18 detainees include one sub-lieutenant, two sergeant majors second class, 12 sergeants, two corporals, and one private. One of the detainees, Sgt Mom Ridthi, was wounded by gunfire and received medical treatment from Thai military medics.
The detained soldiers are being treated according to international military standards and humanitarian principles. They are provided with basic care, including clothing, food, drinking water, and medical treatment as needed. The bodies of the two deceased Cambodian soldiers will be returned according to international standards for handling war dead with dignity.
The Thai military responded to the border violation by deploying special cavalry units to counter-attack and clear Cambodian positions. The relevant procedures will be followed moving forward regarding the detained Cambodian soldiers.
This incident reflects ongoing tensions despite formal ceasefire agreements, with the Thai military asserting the Cambodian side initiated hostilities at multiple points along the border. The Royal Thai Army stresses adherence to international humanitarian law in handling prisoners of war (POWs), to which both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories.
[1] Thailand's Second Army Region report [2] Statement by Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, army spokesperson for this incident [3] Report from the 1949 Geneva Conventions
- This border clash between Thailand and Cambodia, marked by political tension and war-and-conflicts, has led to the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers, as mentioned in the army spokesperson's statement.
- Despite the formal ceasefire agreements, politics play a part in the ongoing tensions as both nations grapple with the fallout from the clash, as depicted by the recent general news reports and the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
