Two Cambodian soldiers have been returned by Thailand ahead of a key meeting aimed at maintaining a ceasefire between the countries.
In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said 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.
It follows days of deadly fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border which saw at least 43 people killed and left over 300,000 people displaced.
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The violence – the worst fighting between the neighbours in over a decade – ended with a truce reached on Monday following a push from Malaysia and calls from US President Donald Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting ceased.
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Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36% for sending goods to the US, their largest export markets.
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Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19% tariff, the White House announced on Friday.
Cambodia said Friday it plans to nominate Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize over his intervention, according to its deputy prime minister.
Pakistan said in June it would recommend Trump for the prize for his work in helping resolve a conflict with India.
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Officials from both Thailand and Cambodia will be meeting in Malaysia next week for talks aimed at maintaining the ceasefire along the disputed border.
The two nations have been at loggerheads over border areas for decades, and simmering tensions escalated into an exchange of gunfire, shelling and rockets on last week, with both sides accusing one another of initiating the violence.
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Both countries recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia.
Relations between the pair deteriorated sharply after an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation.
