Release the 18 Cambodian Prisoners of War

We, the undersigned Cambodian and Thai civil society groups, urge the Thai government to immediately and unconditionally release the 18 Cambodian soldiers who are today marking one month of detention in Thailand, allowing them to return to their country and reunite with their families and loved ones.

The 18 soldiers were taken into custody on 29 July 2025. The Royal Thai Army and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs have identified them as Prisoners of War (POWs). We are encouraged that the Thai army facilitated the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit these soldiers. However, POWs must be released at the end of active hostilities. Cambodia and Thailand have now had a ceasefire since 28 July. These soldiers must be returned home.

The ongoing detention of these men only serves to inflame tensions on both sides and prevents the reconciliation that both neighbours need to undergo in order to build a lasting and sustainable peace. We urge the Royal Thai Army and Thai government to take an important step toward promoting peace by releasing and returning the 18 Cambodian soldiers immediately.

This joint statement is endorsed by:

1. 185K Thida Chambork Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)

2. 197 Land Community (Koh Kong)

3. Agriculture and Development Community for Peace (ADCP)

4. Andong Trabek Land Community (Svay Rieng)

5. Boeung Pi Community (Battambang)

6. Boeung Pram Community (Battambang)

7. Bos Snor Communiy (Tboung Khmum)

8. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU)

9. Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)

10. Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)

11. Cambodian Health and Education for Community (CHEC)

12. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)

13. Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID)

14. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)

15. Cambodian Organization for Women Support (COWS)

16. Cambodian Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTWUF)

17. Cambodian Youth Network Association (CYN)

18. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)

19. Chi Kha Kraom Community (Koh Kong)

20. Coalition for Integrity and Social Accountability (CISA)

21. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)

22. Community Council or Development Organization (CCDO)

23. Community to Protect Nature (Pursat)

24. Economic and Development Community For Improving Livelihood (EDCI)

25. Environment and Health Education Organization (EHE)

26. Equitable Cambodia (EC)

27. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)

28. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)

29. Independent Trade Union Federation (INTUFE)

30. Kbal Kla Forestry Community (Kampong Thom)

31. Kdei Karuna Organization (KDK)

32. Klahaan Organisation (KLAHAAN)

33. Klaing Toek 78 Community (Siem Reap)

34. Kuy Indigenous Community (Preah Vihear)

35. Kuy Indigenous Community in Ngan Commune (Kampong Thom)

36. Kuy Indigenous in Prame Commune (Preah Vihear)

37. Labour Right Supported Union Khmer Employee of Naga World (L.R.S.U)

38. Land Community (Pailin)

39. Lor Peang Community (Kampong Chhnang)

40. Mean Chey Land Community (Svay Rieng)

41. Mondulkiri Indigenous People’s Association for Development (MIPAD)

42. Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC)

43. Nature Protection Oudom Sre Pors Community (Kampong Speu)

44. Ou Bat Moan Community (Oddar Meanchey)

45. Partnership for Environment and Development Organization (PED Cambodia)

46. People Center for Development and Peace-Center (PDP-Center)

47. Phnom Krom Community (Siem Reap)

48. Phnom Srey Organization for Development (PSOD)

49. Phum Seila Khmer Land Community (Banteay Meanchey)

50. Pongrok Chey Leak community (Kampot)

51. Ponlok Khmer (PKH)

52. Prey Chher Pech Changvar Laor Chhert Community (Kampong Chhnang)

53. Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN)

54. Rattanak Rokha Forestry Community (Oddar Meanchey)

55. Reaksmei Sameakki Community (Kampong Speu)

56. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organisation (STT)

57. Samaki Chek Meas Community (Svay Rieng)

58. Samaki Romeas Haek Community (Svay Rieng)

59. Samaki Sangkae Pir Mean Rith (Preah Vihear)

60. Samakum Krom Akphiwat Phum (KAWP)

61. Srae Prang Land Community (Tboung Khmum)

62. Sre Ampel Water Fall Tourism Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)

63. Stueng Khsach Sa Forestry Resource (Kampong Chhnang)

64. The Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW (NGO-CEDAW)

65. The Cambodian Women’s Development Agency (CWDA)

66. Thnaot Chum Land Community (Pursat)

67. Trapeang Chan Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)

68. Trapeang Chour Community (Kampong Speu)

69. Tonlung Community (Tboung Khmum)

70. Women’s Media Centre of Cambodia (WMC)

71. Well-being Advancement organization (WELL)

72. Union for Civil Liberty (UCL)

73. Urban Poor Women Development (UPWD)