KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to comply with international humanitarian law in treating each other’s captured soldiers, and will facilitate the “dignified and timely return” of deceased individuals.

The two Southeast Asian countries locked in a border dispute met in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Aug 7) for an extraordinary general border committee meeting.

After five days of fighting last month that resulted in at least 38 people killed and the displacement of over 300,000 people on both sides, they agreed to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade, with a ceasefire taking place at the stroke of midnight on Jul 29.

Both sides also agreed on Thursday that in the event of an armed conflict, whether intentional or unintentional, they would promptly consult at the local level through existing bilateral mechanisms to prevent the situation from escalating along the entire border.

In a joint statement, Thailand and Cambodia said that the meeting “was held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, resulting in meaningful outcomes”. 

“Both sides reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to the full and effective implementation of the terms of the ceasefire agreed upon.”

The meeting was co-chaired by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister, General Tea Seiha, and Thailand’s Acting Defence Minister, General (Ret) Nattaphon Narkphanit. 

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution observed the meeting along with representatives from the United States and China.

Eighteen Cambodian soldiers are still being held by the Royal Thai Army...