Thai military anticipates the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers once a long-term truce is established.
In the aftermath of the July 29 clash in the Ban Sam Tae area, 18 Cambodian soldiers have been held in Thai custody as prisoners of war (POWs). According to the Royal Thai Army, these soldiers are being treated according to international humanitarian law and will be released only after the armed conflict ends.
The Thai military's decision to classify the captured soldiers as POWs adheres to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. This classification has been confirmed by the Thai Army, which maintains that the soldiers are being treated in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Cambodia has demanded the immediate release of these POWs under international humanitarian law, particularly following the return of two wounded Cambodian soldiers on August 1. The Thai side explained that these two soldiers were released due to their medical conditions requiring family care, while the remaining 18 soldiers continue to be detained. It is reported that these soldiers have been made to take an oath not to fight Thailand again.
The ceasefire, which both countries have officially affirmed, remains in place despite the recent border clash and heightened tensions. The Thai Army denies any plans for imminent military strikes and claims it remains vigilant but committed to peace, though the situation near the border remains tense and volatile.
The soldiers were detained in Thai custody after Cambodian forces occupied the Sam Tae area in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province. They surrendered without resistance, laying down their weapons. Jirayu Huangsap, a government spokesman and a member of the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, made this statement on Wednesday.
The bodies of two deceased Cambodian soldiers were returned to Cambodia on July 29. The Second Army Region is currently providing humanitarian care to the 18 remaining Cambodian soldiers in Thai custody. Jirayu Huangsap, a member of the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, expects the Thai military to return the soldiers once a permanent ceasefire is in effect.
References:
- Thai Army Classifies Cambodian Soldiers as POWs
- Thailand Holds 18 Cambodian Soldiers as POWs
- Cambodia Demands Immediate Release of POWs
- Thai Military to Release POWs After Conflict Ends
- Ceasefire Remains in Place Despite Border Clash
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia have spilled into the realm of politics, with Cambodia demanding the immediate release of their 18 POWs under international humanitarian law, as reported in "Cambodia Demands Immediate Release of POWs."
- In addition to general-news about the clash in the Ban Sam Tae area, there are reports of heightened tensions, with the Thai military deciding to classify the captured soldiers as POWs, as stated in "Thai Army Classifies Cambodian Soldiers as POWs."
- Apart from war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice issues also arise, as the Thai Army has made the soldiers take an oath not to fight Thailand again, as mentioned in "The soldiers have been made to take an oath not to fight Thailand again."
