Thailand In Initial Stages Of Releasing 18 Cambodian Soldiers

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Thailand is in the initial stages of releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in the country. This follows reported progress on four key conditions for their release, that have been agreed upon by the two countries.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said all the detainees are in good health. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been invited to meet the detainees and has confirmed to that effect, he said.

Last Wednesday, Royal Thai Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suwaree said Thailand would consider releasing the 18 detainees once four conditions are met. These include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, clearance of landmines, suppression of transnational criminal networks, and effective management of border zones.

“Since progress has been made on the four conditions, we are conducting daily assessments to determine the appropriate time for their release,” Winthai said.

Nikorndej echoed the army's assessment.

“At present, there has been progress in meeting the four conditions, and Thailand is now in the initial stages of carrying out its part to release the 18 detainees,” he told reporters here on Tuesday.

Nikorndej clarified that Thailand does not consider the 18 individuals to be  prisoners of war (POWs), as there is no state of war between Thailand and Cambodia.

On Oct 26, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur. The signing was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump.

In a joint declaration, both countries agreed to implement military de-escalation measures under the observation and verification of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). These include the removal of heavy and destructive weapons from border areas and their return to regular military installations.

-- BERNAMA