Sihanoukville Provincial Television reported on July 31 that, as of 3:33 p.m. that day, Thailand had yet to return 20 Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata gave the update at a press briefing on the implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement.
She said Cambodia would make every effort to continue negotiations with the Thai side in a bid to return all the detained Cambodian soldiers home as soon as possible and safely. She added that the Cambodian armed forces remained firmly committed to jointly building a border area of peace, stability, cooperation and development with the other side.
According to the Cambodian account, on July 29 the Thai military invited Cambodian soldiers to pose for a group photo. Thai troops who had been concealed in the forest then emerged and captured the Cambodian soldiers. Cambodia said the incident took place at Chong Tae Pass while the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement was in effect, and that 21 Cambodian soldiers were detained. One died, and the Thai side handed over his body.
Reporter: Nget Pisan
Responsible editor: Zhao Yi
