Chanthaburi: Cambodia has repatriated 162 Thai nationals through the Ban Laem permanent border crossing in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police confirmed that the handover of the 162 Thais was a result of completing their detention and being sent back as scheduled, and is unrelated to the exchange of 18 Cambodian soldiers.

According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy National Police Chief, oversaw the repatriation of 162 Thai citizens from Cambodia at the Ban Laem permanent border crossing in Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province. Public health officials conducted initial health screenings before the group crossed the border back into Thailand. They then entered the National Remittance System (NRM) to separate victims from criminals. The screening revealed that 92 individuals had crossed the border illegally, and 6 had outstanding arrest warrants; 2 were part of a scamming gang network, and 1 was involved in a violent crime.

The Deputy National Police Chief confirmed that the handover of 162 Thais, who traveled from three areas: Our Semet, Chong Chom, and Siem Reap, was coordinated by the Thai military attach© in Cambodia. Cambodia detained them until completion of their quarantine and then repatriated them as scheduled. This is unrelated to the exchange of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, and they are not part of the group of 6,000 Thais who requested to return from the Poipet area.