The Thai army will not release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers until the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia has been fully implemented, to prevent them from fighting against Thai troops again, Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree announced today.
He dismissed an accusation from Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister General Rat Dararath, made during a meeting with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Lloyd Gillet that the soldiers have been held illegally since the official ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia came into effect.
Maj-Gen Winthai insists that the Cambodian soldiers are being detained in full compliance with international law and are protected by the Geneva Convention.
Twenty Cambodian soldiers, including two wounded, surrendered to Thai troops at the Thai-Cambodian border. The two injured among them were given proper medical treatment before being returned to Cambodia.
