ANKARA

Thailand on Friday repatriated two Cambodian soldiers who were taken into custody during deadly cross-border clashes over disputed territory between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

Only two of some 20 soldiers were returned by Thai side at the O Smach International Border Gate in the Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia’s Information Ministry said in a statement.

The Thai side calls it the Chong Chom permanent border checkpoint in the Surin province.

Urging Malaysia to step in as a mediator, Cambodia called on Bangkok to "promptly return the remaining military personnel, as well as any other Cambodian forces still in Thai custody."

Earlier, Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said that Cambodia has so far received the body of one of its 21 soldiers taken by Thailand during the border clashes.

Next Monday, senior Thai and Cambodian officials will meet in Malaysia to help resolve their border issues.

Gen. Tea Seiha, Cambodia’s defense minister, has invited his Thai counterpart to the meeting.

Cambodia also proposed that Malaysia, the US, and China should also attend the meeting as observers as they played key role in reaching the ceasefire on Monday.

“With the active participation of other ASEAN member states and key international partners, this mechanism will play a vital role in supporting both Cambodia and Thailand in monitoring, reporting on, and ensuring the sustained and successful implementation of the ceasefire,” Socheata said.

Thailand and Cambodia saw ties deteriorate in recent weeks as tensions escalated to cross-border airstrikes and rocket fire, which killed many, including soldiers.​​​​​​​

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid