“Papa” is the only word that 2-year-old Ros Soveayo can say. But his father has not been home to Prey Thom Village, Cambodia, in months.

His father, Hong Chanvimean, is a prisoner of war 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 cease-fire was brokered by Malaysia and the United States.

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

Now there is a glimmer of hope for him and the other P.O.Ws. On Sunday in Malaysia, President Trump — who has taken credit for ending the war between Thailand and Cambodia — is expected to oversee 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 cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages held by Hamas.

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

Cambodia expects the P.O.W.s to be released soon after a deal is signed. But Thailand has previously laid out four demands, including the resettlement of Cambodians living near the border, to agree to their release.

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