4:00 PM, August 4, 2025
Intervention by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson:
Allow me to convey the message of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as follows:
To my beloved compatriots, despite the evolving situation, the Royal Government of Cambodia continues to closely monitor the safety and well-being of the 18 Cambodian military personnel who have been held in custody by the Thai authorities since 29 July 2025. We are actively pursuing all necessary measures and diplomatic mechanisms to ensure their swift and safe return. In this regard, the Ministry of National Defense, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Commander of the Cambodian Military Region have been working in close coordination with their Thai counterparts. At the same time, Cambodia has formally requested Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, to engage with the Thai authorities to help resolve this matter.
The Royal Government has also assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through Cambodia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, to work closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in efforts to secure the prompt release of the detained personnel.
At the same time, the Royal Government has instructed the Cambodian Human Rights Committee to engage with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand to further advocate for the timely release and repatriation of the 18 Cambodian military personnel.
