The Thai army is ready to repatriate Cambodian soldiers held in Thai custody, but only once Cambodia meets all conditions set by Thailand and mutual hostilities have clearly decreased, according to the army’s spokesman.
The release of the 18 prisoners of war (PoWs) will be carried out in accordance with international and domestic laws and regulations, Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said.
The conditions include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, mine clearance operations, suppression of transnational crime networks and joint management of border areas.
Cambodia has repeatedly demanded that Thailand release its soldiers, who surrendered during the five days of deadly fighting in July. Thailand has, however, rejected those demands, insisting that the prisoners will only be handed over once tensions have eased.
Winthai said both sides have begun drafting an action plan, with a clear timeline, and have already implemented some initial steps.
One example was the withdrawal of tanks from the border area on October 26, a symbolic gesture aligned with the outcomes of the recent ASEAN Summit, marking the first practical step toward implementing the agreement.
On October 28, a meeting of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) secretariats was held between Thailand’s Second Army Region and Cambodia’s Fourth Military Region, to discuss details of troop adjustments and the withdrawal of heavy weapons.
The meeting also set a joint operational framework and a timeline for systematic implementation.
Regarding mine clearance, the Thai side has proposed 13 initial areas for operations, covering zones under the responsibility of the First Army Region, Second Army Region and the Chanthaburi–Trat Border Defense Command. Operations have already begun in four areas and will be expanded to others, particularly in sectors between boundary markers 42 and 47.
Once the areas are cleared and deemed safe, surveys will be conducted to establish temporary border markers and verify land ownership, enabling local communities to use the land safely.
As for efforts to suppress transnational crime and scam networks, the government has assigned the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior to work together on the matter.
