Thai army defends handling of Cambodian prisoners
Thai authorities are treating all detained Cambodian soldiers in accordance with international legal standards, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, the RTA spokesman, said on Thursday.
He was responding to a statement issued by Hun Manet, who wrote on social media: 'There is a question as to why the Royal Government of Cambodia did not immediately release information regarding the Cambodian forces that were captured by the Thai army after the ceasefire?
'I would like to emphasise that since the fighting broke out on July 24, caring for the lives of our forces, as well as those of the Cambodian people living in the fighting zones, has been the highest priority of the Royal Government,' said Hun Manet.
He then asked the Thai army to send all detained Cambodian soldiers back to Cambodia as soon as possible.
The army is holding 18 Cambodian soldiers who surrendered following a clash in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province on July 29, according to Maj Gen Winthai.
The clash began when Cambodian forces fired heavy weapons and mortars into Thai territory. The Thai military responded by deploying special cavalry units to counter-attack and clear Cambodian positions.
During the operation, some Cambodian soldiers surrendered without showing any threatening behaviour toward Thai forces. The unit disarmed and detained them following proper procedures in accordance with international humanitarian principles, said the spokesman.
Another 20 Cambodian soldiers surrendered on Tuesday after running out of ammunition in the Cham Sam Taek area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket, the 2nd Army Region said.
All detainees are being prosecuted for illegal entry under Thai immigration law. Two of the soldiers, who sustained injuries, have been transferred to Weerawatyothin Military Hospital in nearby Surin province for medical treatment, according to the army operations centre.
Mental health specialists have also been called in to assess their psychological condition, believed to have been affected by prolonged combat exposure.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives seized during the operation have been handed over to ordnance officers for inspection and documentation. The explosives will be destroyed while the remaining items will be retained as evidence for legal proceedings.
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