Thailand returns two Cambodian troops in advance of key border talks
The soldiers were returned on Friday through a checkpoint connecting Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey, the Cambodian Defence Ministry said.
Their homecoming comes amid continued accusations from both governments over alleged civilian targeting and breaches of international law during a five-day conflict that erupted last week.
Eighteen other Cambodian troops captured during skirmishes on Tuesday, hours after a ceasefire deal was reached, remain in Thai custody.
'The wounded soldiers were returned through a designated border point,' said Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for Cambodia's Defence Ministry, urging Bangkok to repatriate the remaining captured troops 'in accordance with international humanitarian law'.
The two governments have provided starkly contrasting versions of the soldiers' capture.
Phnom Penh says its troops approached Thai positions with peaceful intentions, offering post-conflict greetings. But Bangkok disputes that account, alleging the Cambodian soldiers crossed into Thai territory with apparent hostility, prompting their detention.
Thai officials say they are adhering to legal protocols while assessing the actions of the remaining soldiers. No timeline has been given for their release.
The ceasefire has done little to ease simmering nationalist anger online, with social media platforms in both countries flooded by patriotic fervour and mutual recriminations.
Meanwhile, both nations have taken foreign diplomats and observers on guided tours of former combat zones. Each side has accused the other of inflicting damage, using the visits to bolster their narratives.
The recent round of violence involved infantry clashes, Cambodian rocket fire, Thai air strikes, and artillery exchanges. The fighting killed more than 30 people, including civilians, and forced more than 260,000 others from their homes.
Under the ceasefire terms, military officials from both countries are due to meet next week in Malaysia to discuss de-escalation measures.
However, these talks will exclude the underlying territorial dispute, which has remained unresolved for decades.
The General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, will meet between August 4 and 7, Thai acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters.
'Defence attaches from other ASEAN countries will be invited as well as the defence attaches from the US and China,' a Malaysian government spokesperson told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc that the country currently chairs.
Separately on Friday, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said Phnom Penh intends to nominate United States President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in brokering the ceasefire.
Speaking earlier in the capital, he thanked Trump for 'bringing peace' and insisted the US leader deserved the award.
Similar nominations have recently come from Pakistan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both citing Trump's interventions in regional disputes.
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