Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating newly signed ceasefire

Thailand’s military has accused Cambodia of breaching a recently signed ceasefire agreement, raising fresh concerns over stability along their shared border after weeks of deadly clashes that displaced nearly one million people.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Royal Thai Army said it detected more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles flying from the Cambodian side late on Sunday night. The army described the activity as provocative and inconsistent with the terms of the ceasefire.

The ceasefire came into force at noon local time on Saturday, with both sides agreeing to freeze front-line positions, halt troop reinforcements and allow civilians in border areas to return home as soon as possible. The deal followed days of negotiations and had been widely viewed as a breakthrough after months of escalating violence.

Thailand’s military said the alleged drone activity violated measures intended to ease tensions and warned that continued breaches could lead to further action. It added that it may reconsider the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been held in Thailand since July.

“If violations of agreements and national sovereignty continue, Thailand will be obliged to respond accordingly,” the statement said.

Cambodia has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

The accusations came only hours after senior international officials welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as a significant step toward reducing tensions between the two neighbours.

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century, but tensions escalated sharply earlier this year following an incident at a disputed temple site. Relations deteriorated further after a Cambodian soldier was killed in clashes in May, pushing ties to their lowest point in more than a decade.

Five days of intense fighting followed, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes. A ceasefire agreed in July and formally signed in October later collapsed, with renewed fighting breaking out earlier this month.

Both countries have blamed each other for the breakdown of previous agreements, and the latest accusations underscore the fragility of the current truce as efforts continue to prevent further escalation.