In Trump, families of Cambodian troops detained by Thailand see hope

They expect POWs to be released soon after US leader oversees truce deal

- Sui-Lee Wee and Sun Narin

“Papa” is the only word that two-year-old Ros Soveayo can say. But his father has not been home to Prey Thom village, Cambodia, in months.

His father, Mr Hong Chanvimean, is a prisoner of war (POW) in Thailand. He is one of 18 soldiers who were detained in July, after a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia exploded into armed conflict. Dozens were killed before a ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and the US.

But the truce remains tenuous, as does Mr Hong Chanvimean’s fate.

Now there is a glimmer of hope for him and the other POWs. On Oct 26 in Malaysia, US President Donald Trump - who has taken credit for ending the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia — witnessed the signing of a pact to resolve the disagreement between the two countries.

It would come just weeks after a plan outlined by Mr Trump led to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages held by Hamas.

“The survival or death of my husband depends on him,” said Ms Kruoch Ya, Mr Hong Chanvimean’s wife.

Cambodia expects the POWs to be released soon after a deal is signed.

The fate of the POWs has become a pressure point for the Cambodian authorities. It has inflamed public anger against Thailand, but has also underscored how little leverage Cambodia has against its much bigger neighbour.