BANGKOK: Thailand and Cambodian forces will return to their previously agreed positions, Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, following talks on Sunday, after both reinforced their military presence in response to a deadly clash last month.

For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a clash on May 28 in an undemarcated border area.

On Saturday, the two countries had both reinforced their military presence, but Phumtham said in a statement on Sunday both sides would revert to positions agreed in 2024.

He also said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee, set up to allow bilateral negotiations, on Jun 14.

Cambodia did not immediately comment following the statement from Phumtham.

Earlier on Sunday, Thailand shortened operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns.

Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours to 8am (9am, Singapore time) to 4pm local time, from 6am to 10pm, previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters on Sunday (Jun 8).

Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817km frontier, government data shows.

Source: CNA.