Thailand has returned two Cambodian soldiers from a group of 20 detained earlier this week, as both nations prepare for high-level talks in Malaysia next week aimed at reinforcing a fragile ceasefire along their disputed border.
The handover comes just days before defence ministers and top military commanders from both countries are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur, following the most serious outbreak of border violence in over a decade.
Clashes erupted last week along the Thai-Cambodian border, escalating into artillery exchanges and air strikes that left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 300,000 residents.
The violence marked a sharp deterioration in relations between the Southeast Asian neighbours, who have long been at odds over undemarcated sections of their 817-kilometre land boundary.
A ceasefire was brokered on Monday, after diplomatic intervention by Malaysia and direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House said the president had threatened to suspend tariff negotiations with both countries unless the fighting ceased.
Prior to the talks, both Thailand and Cambodia had been subject to a 36 percent tariff on goods exported to the United States. On Friday, the White House announced that the rate would be reduced to 19 percent following the ceasefire agreement and renewed diplomatic engagement.
In a press briefing on Friday, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub confirmed that two of the detained Cambodian soldiers had been repatriated, while the remaining 18 are still being processed for immigration violations.
“The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles,” he said.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defence responded by calling for the release of all its soldiers.
Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations to secure their release, and reiterates its firm call for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with the international humanitarian law,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Originally scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh, the upcoming defence talks will now take place in Malaysia after Thailand requested a neutral venue.
The General Border Committee, which oversees military cooperation on ceasefires, troop movements, and border security, will convene from August 4 to 7.
Speaking to reporters, Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit said discussions will include broader regional involvement.
A spokesperson for the Malaysian government confirmed that military attachés from ASEAN member states, as well as from the United States and China, will be invited to observe the talks.
The Thai-Cambodian border has long been a flashpoint, with competing claims over ancient temple complexes and undefined border markers.
In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a minor skirmish, triggering a military build-up on both sides. The tension eventually escalated into five days of fierce fighting in late July, raising fears of a wider conflict.
The upcoming meeting in Malaysia is seen as a critical opportunity to stabilise the situation and lay the groundwork for a more permanent resolution.
