Thailand Returns 2 Cambodian Soldiers Ahead Of Border Negotiations

Thai Military/PHOTO via X @armyspoke_news

JAKARTA - The Thai military repatriated two Cambodian soldiers on Friday, ahead of an important meeting in Malaysia next week.

Defense ministers and military commanders will hold talks aimed at defending the ceasefire along their disputed border.

In Bangkok, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub told reporters two Cambodian soldiers had been repatriated, and 18 other soldiers were being processed for violating immigration laws.

"The Cambodian army has entered Thai territory and the military detained them, treating them based on humanitarian principles," he said.

Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ministry of Defense asked Thailand to repatriate all detained soldiers.

"Camboja are actively involved in negotiations to ensure their release, and reaffirm their firm appeal for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with international humanitarian law," said a ministry spokesman.

Thailand's acting Defense Minister, Nattaphon Narkphanit, said the Public Border Committee, which coordinates border security, ceasefire, and deployment of troops, will meet between August 4-7.

Long-smeared tensions on the Thai-Kamboja border exploded into clashes last week, including artillery exchanges and fighter jet attacks, the worst fighting between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries in more than a decade.

The clashes claimed 43 lives and displaced more than 300,000 people.

A ceasefire was reached on Monday, following pressure from Malaysia and a phone call from US President Trump threatening to delay tariff negotiations with the two countries until fighting stops.

Thailand and Cambodia previously faced a rate of 36% for goods shipments to the US, their largest export market. After further negotiations, they will now pay a tariff of 19%, the White House announced on Friday, August 1.

"Defense attacks from other ASEAN countries will be invited, as well as defense attaches from the US and China," a Malaysian government spokesman told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc currently chaired by the country.

Thailand and Cambodia have decades claimed jurisdiction over indefinite points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border, with ownership of several ancient temples at the center of the dispute.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a minor battle, which led to additional troops and a diplomatic crisis, which eventually grew into a fierce five-day battle at the end of July.