Phnom Penh, August 10 — The two monastic committees of Cambodia are organizing a peace pilgrimage in Phnom Penh to promote a lasting ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand and call for the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thai authorities.

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, around 2,569 monks from various monasteries across Cambodia will participate in the "Peace Walk," starting from Wat Phnom and ending at the Independence Monument. The event aims to:

- Appeal for support to uphold a permanent ceasefire between the two countries;

- Call for the immediate release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers;

- Urge both governments to maintain peace, security, and stability for their people;

According to Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, the pilgrimage is a spiritual effort to reinforce diplomatic goals with the power of prayer and compassion. The monks will receive alms for their requests, emphasizing unity amid ongoing border tensions.

A spokesperson for the monastic committees said, “We believe prayer and spiritual unity can help foster peace and reconciliation. We call on all parties to honor commitments and prioritize dialogue over conflict.”

The initiative comes amidst ongoing regional efforts, including ASEAN, which encourages peaceful resolution of disputes. The Cambodian government hopes that such faith-based actions will support broader peace-building efforts and foster long-term stability in Southeast Asia.