BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Army has announced its readiness to repatriate prisoners of war (POWs) in accordance with international humanitarian law, contingent on Cambodia’s genuine and verifiable cooperation in four agreed areas: the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border zones, landmine clearance, suppression of transnational criminal networks, and joint management of disputed border areas.
Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree stated that both countries have begun developing a joint action plan, with some implementation already underway. On October 26, tanks and heavy artillery were withdrawn from select border zones, in line with the outcomes of the recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Two days later, Thailand’s Second Army Area and Cambodia’s Region 4 Military Command met under the Regional Border Committee (RBC) framework to finalize technical details, phased withdrawal schedules, and operational timelines.
Thailand has also launched landmine clearance operations across 13 priority zones along the shared frontier, overseen by the First and Second Army Areas and the Chanthaburi–Trat Border Defense Command. Operations have commenced in four locations, with plans to expand as areas are cleared. Once zones are verified safe, joint survey teams will install temporary markers and confirm land ownership to allow residents to safely return.
The Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior are leading efforts to dismantle transnational criminal and scam networks in coordination with Cambodian authorities. A bilateral Joint Task Force has been formed to exchange intelligence, pursue offenders, and coordinate enforcement along the border.
Progress will be reviewed through established mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission, the General Border Committee, and the Regional Border Committee. The Thai Army reaffirmed that all measures will be conducted in accordance with humanitarian principles and international law, maintaining that continued cooperation and verified progress are essential for sustainable peace and mutual trust between the two nations. (NNT)
