Information Minister Recalls 'Most Dangerous Handshake' Incident After Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire

Cambodia's Minister of Information, Net Pheaktra, recalled the 'most dangerous handshake' incident where Thai soldiers detained 18 out of 20 Cambodian soldiers after a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand took effect on July 28, 2025, at 00:00. He shared this reflection on his personal Facebook page on the morning of July 28, 2025. According to the minister, on the morning of the same day the ceasefire came into effect, Thai soldiers reportedly approached Cambodian soldiers to shake hands, creating an atmosphere of reconciliation and an end to confrontation. However, subsequently, Thai forces surrounded and arrested the Cambodian soldiers. The 18 detained soldiers were held as Prisoners of War (PoWs) until December 31, 2025, before being released through the efforts of the Cambodian government and the international community. This incident raised serious questions: If a ceasefire has taken effect and fighting has stopped, can the arrest of military personnel in an area considered Cambodian territory be considered the arrest of prisoners of war? For Cambodia, this event is viewed not as an arrest in a combat situation, but as an act of arresting Cambodian soldiers by exploiting the trust under the ceasefire atmosphere. The detention for over five months left psychological scars on the soldiers, their families, and Cambodian society as a whole. The Minister of Information stated that a 'handshake' should be a symbol of peace and trust. However, if a handshake is used as a means to lead to arrest, it becomes a symbol of lost trust, which can severely impact future peace-building and confidence between parties. This incident remains a topic that requires transparent clarification, independent review, and accountability to ensure that the implementation of ceasefires and the protection of military personnel are respected in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to prevent such incidents from happening again. Source: AKP Khmer