Bangkok: A government spokesman confirmed that Thailand will not release 18 prisoners of war if Cambodia fails to comply with the anti-scammer agreement and other outstanding agreements. He insisted that the Prime Minister will not interfere in negotiations and expedite the JBC meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat addressed the news of the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war (POWs). He stated that he had verified the information with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who was abroad due to concerns about the Thai-Cambodian border situation. He confirmed that Cambodia’s report that Thailand would release the 18 POWs was untrue. The report stated that during a previous meeting with Cambodia, negotiations were held to request the release of the 18 POWs. However, the Foreign Minister insisted that the four agreements of the previous GBC meeting must be implemented: troop withdrawal, demining, scammer resolution, and the eviction of Cambodians
who encroached on Thai territory. However, if these four agreements are not implemented, negotiations on the release of the 18 POWs will not take place.
The Government Spokesperson also stated that regarding allegations that the Thai Prime Minister had expedited the JBC meeting, he confirmed that this was untrue, as the Prime Minister did not interfere. He emphasized that the meeting was in accordance with the previously agreed upon schedule to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Regarding the question of whether the JBC meeting would constitute a waiver of the right to cancel MOUs 43-44, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded that the JBC meeting is merely a discussion on operational approaches, such as the use of lidar systems for coordinate determination. There are no contractual obligations, but rather a discussion to find a common approach.