Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Breaking Ceasefire Hours After It Began

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire on Monday to end five days of deadly fighting along their disputed border. However, just hours after it began, Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the truce by firing at several locations after midnight. The Thai military claimed it had halted its attacks by the agreed time but continued receiving fire from the Cambodian side into Tuesday morning. Cambodia’s defense ministry denied this and said there were no clashes after the ceasefire began.

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Despite the tension, local commanders from both sides met on Tuesday morning as part of the agreement. They committed to stopping the shooting, halting troop movement, and allowing both armies to collect their dead from the battlefield.

The recent conflict has killed at least 33 people and displaced thousands. Tensions flared in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash. The situation escalated last week after five Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine, prompting border closures and diplomatic expulsions. Cambodia launched multiple rockets into Thailand in retaliation, killing civilians. Thailand responded with air strikes.

The ceasefire was reached during a Monday meeting in Malaysia, brokered by its Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said the talks were positive. Thailand, previously hesitant to negotiate, agreed to the meeting after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt tariff negotiations unless the violence ended.

The Thailand-Cambodia conflict centers on a long-standing border dispute that reignited in 2008. Tensions flared when Cambodia attempted to register a centuries-old temple in the contested area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking backlash from Thailand. Since then, clashes have occurred intermittently, resulting in casualties on both sides.

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The latest flare-up is the worst in over a decade. In recent months, both nations have increased military presence along the border. After the death of a Cambodian soldier in May and a landmine injury to five Thai soldiers, both sides responded aggressively. This led to a wave of violence, civilian casualties, and mass evacuations from the border areas. Thailand launched airstrikes, while Cambodia retaliated with rocket attacks.

The ceasefire signed on Monday was seen as a hopeful step toward peace. Leaders agreed to pull back troops and welcome independent monitors to prevent further fighting. However, the truce has had a rocky start. Although Cambodia says the frontlines have calmed, Thailand claims gunfire continued after the ceasefire deadline.

In response to the fighting, both countries have also engaged in economic measures. Cambodia banned Thai fruit, vegetables, electricity, and internet imports. Thailand shut down border crossings and recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh, also expelling Cambodia’s envoy.

The path to lasting peace remains uncertain. While the ceasefire agreement shows diplomatic progress, ongoing accusations and mistrust threaten to undo efforts at de-escalation. International pressure, particularly from the U.S., may influence how seriously both sides commit to peace in the coming days. The next steps will be critical to determining whether this ceasefire holds or if the region is headed for further conflict.