Thailand on Friday repatriated two of the 20 Cambodian soldiers it detained last week following deadly border clashes, as both countries prepare for high-stakes talks in Malaysia aimed at maintaining a fragile ceasefire.
The Thai army captured the Cambodian troops after they allegedly crossed into Thai territory during the worst bout of fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade. The clashes, which included artillery exchanges and aerial strikes, killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 civilians.
The border truce, brokered on Monday with support from Malaysia and diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, ended five days of hostilities. President Trump reportedly threatened to suspend tariff negotiations with both nations unless the violence ceased. The U.S. later announced that existing tariffs, previously set at 36%, would be reduced to 19% following further talks.
On Friday, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub confirmed the release of two Cambodian soldiers, adding that the remaining 18 were undergoing processing for illegal entry. “The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and were detained. However, they have been treated humanely in line with humanitarian principles,” he said.
The Cambodian Defence Ministry responded by urging Thailand to return all 20 soldiers unconditionally. “Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations and reiterates its firm call for their immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with international humanitarian law,” a ministry spokesperson said.
To ease tensions, the upcoming General Border Committee meeting, originally planned to take place in Phnom Penh, has been relocated to Malaysia at Thailand’s request for a neutral venue. The talks, scheduled for August 4–7, will bring together defence ministers, military commanders, and defence attachés from ASEAN member states, as well as representatives from the U.S. and China.
Thailand and Cambodia have long disputed parts of their shared 817-kilometre (508-mile) border, with historical claims over ancient temples and territory fueling periodic flare-ups. A skirmish in May, which left a Cambodian soldier dead, triggered a military build-up and culminated in the recent deadly confrontation.
The upcoming negotiations are expected to focus on securing the ceasefire, coordinating troop withdrawals, and restarting border demarcation talks, with hopes of preventing further escalation.
Written By Rodney Mbua
