Bangkok: Thailand is prepared to repatriate 18 prisoners of war, contingent upon Cambodia's cooperation on four critical issues.
According to Thai News Agency, Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, announced this at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters in response to discussions held during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2015.
The Thai government has committed to the release of prisoners in alignment with international rules and laws, requiring a reduction in hostilities and adherence to mutually agreed-upon terms. The key areas for cooperation include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, mine clearance, suppression of transnational criminal networks, and management of border regions.
Maj. Gen. Winthai highlighted that both nations have initiated action plans, noting the symbolic withdrawal of tanks from the border on October 26, 2015, as a starting point. The Regional Border Coordination Committee Secretariat convened on October 28, 2015, to further discuss the withdrawal of heavy weapons and develop a timeline for joint operations.
In the area of mine clearance, Thailand has identified 13 initial zones for operations, with activities already underway in four areas. The focus will expand, particularly around boundary markers 42-47, to ensure safe utilization of these areas by local residents once cleared.
Efforts to combat transnational crime networks are being coordinated by the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with Cambodian authorities. A Joint Task Force has been established to oversee and address these issues continuously.
Thailand will continue to monitor the implementation of these agreements through various committees such as the JBC, GBC, and RBC. Should agreements fail to produce tangible outcomes, the Royal Thai Army may consider additional measures within the legal and international framework to uphold national interests and sovereignty.