Thailand has accused Cambodia of breaking a newly agreed ceasefire along their disputed border, though both countries say the truce remains mostly intact. Thai army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree said on Tuesday that Cambodian forces launched attacks into several areas of Thai territory just hours after the ceasefire took effect.
He said Thai troops responded “appropriately” and in “self-defence,” calling the incidents a “deliberate violation” of the agreement signed in Malaysia on July 28. The truce was meant to stop the deadliest border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade. The recent violence killed at least 38 people and displaced nearly 300,000 along their 800-kilometer border.
Despite the accusations, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was calm and under control. “There is no escalation,” he told reporters on Tuesday, confirming he had spoken with Cambodia’s defense minister ahead of planned military talks.
Cambodia denied all accusations. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a strong statement rejecting Thailand’s claims as “fabricated” and said the Cambodian military had not violated the ceasefire. It stressed the country’s full commitment to peace and called for an international observer team to monitor the truce.
Fighting along the border reportedly stopped by midnight on Monday, when the ceasefire began. Journalists in both Thailand and Cambodia said the front lines had quieted. A meeting between military commanders, initially set for Tuesday morning, was postponed with no new time confirmed.
Cambodia praised Malaysia, the U.S., and China for supporting the peace process and said it hopes for transparent monitoring of the agreement. Talks are expected to continue with a cross-border committee meeting in Cambodia on August 4.
The recent flare-up was the worst since 2008–2011, when disputes over territory led to repeated clashes. Both governments have expressed hopes the ceasefire will hold and lead to long-term peace.
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