Detention of 18 soldiers in accordance with international law, claims army spokesperson, contradicting Cambodian Deputy Defense Minister's statement.
In the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, the Royal Thai Army has urged the public to remain vigilant as the situation remains unstable. Major General Winthai Suwaree, the spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, has asserted that the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers is in compliance with international law and protected under international legal frameworks, specifically the Geneva Conventions.
According to Winthai Suwaree, the detention of the Cambodian soldiers will remain until the ceasefire or combat situation is fully and concretely resolved, to prevent the soldiers from engaging in hostilities against Thai forces. The Thai army has also accused Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Convention regarding landmines.
The detention of the Cambodian soldiers has been a subject of controversy, with Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence posting on Facebook about a meeting between General Rat Dararath, Cambodia's Deputy Defence Minister, and Lloyd Gillett, a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The meeting, which took place on August 8, was likely in relation to a humanitarian visit to check on the 18 Cambodian soldiers.
Under international law and the Geneva Conventions, detaining enemy combatants during armed conflict is permissible but governed by strict rules. Combatants captured in an international armed conflict may be considered prisoners of war (POWs) and have protections under the Third Geneva Convention (1949), including humane treatment and forbidding unlawful detention or mistreatment. Detentions must adhere to due process and must not violate human rights obligations.
While the Thai military or government has not provided explicit statements about the legal justification for detaining the Cambodian soldiers, it can be inferred that Thailand would likely justify detaining them on the basis that they were combatants involved in incursions or attacks threatening Thai sovereignty or security in disputed border areas. Such detention would be framed as consistent with international law obligations to hold combatants during hostilities until release or exchange.
The ICRC, involved in the humanitarian visit to check on the 18 Cambodian soldiers, has emphasised that this measure aligns with international standards. The Cambodian Ministry's Facebook post stated that the 18 soldiers were safe and in good health.
The Second Army Region has also warned the public to remain vigilant as the border situation remains unstable. The Thai army has cleared the battlefield and seized Cambodian landmines in Phu Makua. The conflict involved armed clashes near disputed temples and border areas, with both sides accusing each other of incursions and aggression. Diplomatic actions, including calls for ceasefires and international mediation, have been taken, but official statements about legal grounds for detention are not documented in the available results.
- The detention of the Cambodian soldiers, in accordance with international law and the Geneva Conventions, is being justified by Thailand as a response to the soldiers' involvement in incursions or attacks threatening Thai sovereignty or security in disputed border areas.
- In addition to the ongoing border conflict, the Second Army Region of Thailand has advised the public to stay vigilant due to the unstable border situation, and the Thai army has even seized Cambodian landmines in Phu Makua.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has emphasized that the detention of the 18 Cambodian soldiers aligns with international standards, and the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence has stated that the soldiers are safe and in good health.
