Cambodia has called on Thailand to return 20 of its soldiers who were taken captive by Thai forces hours after a ceasefire that halted days of deadly cross-border clashes over disputed territory between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
Separately, Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said that Cambodia has so far received the body of one of its 21 soldiers detained by Thailand during the border clashes, adding that twenty others “are still being held by Thailand.”
Maly Socheata said on Thursday that talks were under way for the release of 20 soldiers. “We will do our best to continue negotiations with the Thai side in order to bring all our soldiers back home safely and as soon as possible,” she told a news briefing.
According to reports, the group of Cambodian troops were captured at about 7:50am local time on Tuesday (00:50 GMT) after crossing into Thai-held territory – nearly eight hours after a ceasefire came into effect between the two countries.
Speaking to the media at the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army on Thursday, army spokesperson Major-General Winthai Suvaree said the commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region had assured that the Cambodian detainees – which numbered 18 – would be dealt with under international legal conditions. “The soldiers would be swiftly returned once the legal procedures are completed,” Thailand’s The Nation newspaper reported the army spokesperson as saying.
Thailand’s government said on Wednesday that the detained Cambodian soldiers were being treated in line with international humanitarian law and military regulations, and that they would be returned to Cambodia when the border situation stabilises.
Nearly 300,000 people fled their homes on both sides of the Thai-Cambodia border as the two opposing armies clashed for days with long-range rockets and artillery in what is largely a border area of jungle and agricultural land. Thai jet fighters also attacked Cambodian positions.
Thailand has confirmed that 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed in the fighting – which was the heaviest in decades – while Cambodia said eight civilians and five of its soldiers died.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed Monday to an unconditional ceasefire during a meeting in Malaysia, in a significant breakthrough to resolve the five-day deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands.
Despite accusations of truce violations by both sides, the ceasefire – which was facilitated by Malaysia – has held since Tuesday.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk urged Bangkok and Phnom Penh to implement their ceasefire deal in full and take rapid steps to build confidence and peace with each other. “This crucial agreement must be fully respected, in good faith, by both sides, as diplomatic efforts continue, in a bid to resolve the root causes of the conflict,” Turk said.
Cambodia Seeks Malaysian Help To Secure Release Of Soldiers From Thailand
Moreover, Cambodia requested Malaysia to intervene to “swiftly” secure the release of its soldiers in the Thai army’s custody.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander-in-chief asked his Malaysian counterpart, who is currently acting as a ceasefire coordinator and monitor, to urge the Thai commander-in-chief to facilitate the soldiers’ release, Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a statement shared on his social media page.
Hun said he hopes that the Thai military will return all of the Cambodian soldiers currently under their control “as quickly as possible,” as the ceasefire holds for the third day.
He said the Cambodian military has been in contact with the Thai side, urging the immediate release of the captured personnel.
“The well-being of the country’s armed forces, as well as the civilians living in the affected areas, has been the highest priority of his government.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet
That is why the government has worked tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire as quickly as possible, he added.
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