Cambodia Releases Thai Man Detained Near Border

SURIN — Cambodian authorities have released a Thai man known as "Uncle Yot" and returned him to Thailand following coordination between Thai and Cambodian regional border committees, officials said on Friday.

Maj. Gen. Nid Narong, deputy chief of staff of Cambodia's Border Protection Force 4 and head of the Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC), contacted Thailand's 2nd Army Region on Thursday regarding the repatriation of Yot Sainoi, known as "Uncle Yot."

The handover occurred at Chong Sa-ngam border checkpoint in Phu Sing district of Sisaket province around 11:00 on May 15. Maj. Gen. Kampanat Waphansu, chief of staff of the 2nd Army Region and head of the Thai RBC delegation, received the 58-year-old Thai national from Cambodian officials.

Officals confirmed that Yot was in good health with no visible signs of injury.

The 2nd Army Region stated 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 praised as a positive demonstration of ongoing bilateral cooperation aimed at reducing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Yot, 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 April 25. Thai authorities discovered his abandoned motorcycle near the forest edge and initiated a joint search operation with security agencies.

Following discussions with Cambodian officials, Thai authorities learned that Yot had illegally crossed into Cambodia and was arrested by Cambodian forces. He was prosecuted in Oddar Meanchey province for illegal entry and trespassing in a military area, and was held in a provincial prison before his release.