Thailand Alleges Cambodia of Violating Recent Ceasefire Pact

By Haifa Chairunisa

Thailand’s military has accused Cambodia of violating a newly agreed ceasefire that was reached after weeks of deadly border clashes that displaced nearly one million people.

In a statement, the Thai army said it detected more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles crossing from the Cambodian side late on Sunday night. The ceasefire came into force at noon local time on Saturday, with both countries agreeing to hold their current positions, halt reinforcements, and allow civilians in border areas to return home as soon as possible.

The agreement had been widely viewed as a breakthrough following days of negotiations, supported diplomatically by China and the United States. However, the Royal Thai Army said on Monday that Cambodia’s actions amounted to provocation and violated measures intended to ease tensions, adding that they were inconsistent with the ceasefire terms.

The army also said it may reconsider the planned release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand since July, warning that Thailand would be compelled to respond if violations of agreements and national sovereignty persist.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn downplayed the incident, describing it as a minor issue involving drone flights observed by both sides along the border, according to AFP.

The accusations emerged just hours after China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the “hard won” ceasefire, while US President Donald Trump welcomed what he called a rapid and fair conclusion.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have a long history, stretching back more than a century. The latest escalation began earlier this year after a group of Cambodian women sang patriotic songs at a disputed temple site. A Cambodian soldier was killed in clashes in May, pushing bilateral relations to their lowest level in more than a decade.

Five days of heavy fighting along the border followed, killing dozens of soldiers and civilians and forcing thousands to flee. A fragile ceasefire was agreed in July and formally signed in October, but it collapsed earlier this month after fresh clashes, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the truce.