Cambodia Releases Thai Man Detained at Border

Cambodian authorities have released a Thai man known as “Uncle Yot” and returned him to Thailand following cross-border coordination between Thai and Cambodian regional border committees, officials said on Friday. The handover took place at Chong Sa-ngam border checkpoint in Phu Sing district of Sisaket province at around 11:00 on 15 May.

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Maj Gen Kampanat Waphansu, chief of staff of the 2nd Army Region and head of the Thai RBC delegation, received the 58-year-old from Cambodian officials. Maj Gen Nid Narong, deputy chief of staff of Cambodia’s Border Protection Force 4 and head of the Cambodian Regional Border Committee, had contacted Thailand’s 2nd Army Region on Thursday regarding the repatriation.

According to reports, Yot Sainoi, a resident of Prasat district in Surin province, had been reported missing by his family after entering a forest area near the Thai-Cambodian border in Kab Choeng district on 25 April. Thai authorities later found his motorcycle abandoned near the forest edge and launched a joint search with security agencies.

Cambodian officials later informed Thai authorities that he had illegally crossed into Cambodia and was arrested for illegal entry and trespassing in a military area in Oddar Meanchey province, before being detained in a provincial prison prior to release.

The 2nd Army Region said the return was achieved through close coordination between Thailand’s 2nd Army Region and Cambodia’s Border Protection Force 4 under the RBC mechanism, which both sides described as a positive sign of continued bilateral cooperation aimed at easing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. Officials said Yot appeared to be in good health and showed no signs of injury.

Khaosod reported that the repatriation is expected to reinforce ongoing cooperation between the two countries’ border authorities, with the RBC framework continuing to serve as the primary channel for managing cross-border issues and facilitating the safe return of detained or missing nationals.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 16 May 2026

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