Thailand returns Cambodian soldiers ahead of border talks

Thailand’s army sent home two Cambodian soldiers from a group of 20 on Friday, ahead of a key meeting in Malaysia next week where defence ministers and military commanders will hold talks aimed at maintaining a ceasefire along their disputed border.

Long-simmering tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border exploded into clashes last week, including exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties, the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.

The clashes claimed at least 43 lives and left over 300,000 people displaced.

A truce was achieved on Monday, following a push by Malaysia and phone calls from USPresident Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting stopped.

Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36% for sending goods to the US, their largest export markets.

Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19% tariff, the White House announced on Friday.

In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters on Friday that two Cambodian soldiers had been sent back, and the remaining 18 were being processed for violating immigration law.

“The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles,” he said.

In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry asked Thailand to return all the detained 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 ministry spokesperson said.

Defence ministers and military leaders from both sides, who were previously scheduled to meet in the Cambodian capital next week, will now hold talks in Malaysia, after Thailand sought a neutral venue for the meeting.

The General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, will meet between Aug.4-7, Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters.

“Defence attachés from other ASEAN countries will be invited as well as the defence attachés from the US and China,” a Malaysian government spokesperson told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc that the country currently chairs.

Thailand and Cambodia have for decades claimed jurisdiction over undemarcated points along their 817-km land border, with ownership of several ancient temples at the centre of disputes.

Meanwhile, Cambodia will nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, its deputy prime minister said on Friday, following his direct intervention in halting the Southeast Asian country’s recent border conflict with Thailand.

Asked via text message to confirm Cambodia’s plan to nominate Trump for the prize, Chanthol responded, “yes.”

Speaking to reporters earlier in the capital, Phnom Penh, Chanthol thanked Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize, the highest-profile international award given to an individual or organisation deemed to have done the most to “advance fellowship between nations.”

Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award.

It was a call by Trump last week that broke a deadlock in efforts to end the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leading to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on Monday.

Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump made it happen.

“Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!,” she said.

“We acknowledge his great efforts for peace,” said Chanthol, also Cambodia’s top trade negotiator, adding that his country was also grateful for a reduced tariff rate of 19%.

Agencies