After five months of tortuous negotiations and broken promises amid an undeclared war, 18 Cambodian prisoners of war (POWs) walked across the Thai border at Prum to a hero’s welcome after Bangkok made good on obligations struck in the December 27 ceasefire.

Their release was late. Under the terms of 3rd Joint Statement they were to be freed within 72 hours of its signing at midday local time on Sunday between the foreign ministers of both countries.

However – as with previous ceasefires struck on July 28 and October 27 – Thailand again claimed Cambodia had breached the terms of the truce, raising fears of renewed hostilities and further delays in releasing the POWs, described in Phnom Penh as “hostages.”

All 18 appeared healthy as they boarded helicopters once inside the country with videos of their arrival shared widely across the internet. The International Committee of the Red Cross had kept a close watch throughout their 155 days of incarceration.

They were taken shortly after the July 28 truce was signed........

© The Diplomat