A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, meant to stop the deadliest border fighting in more than a decade, is at risk after Thai officials accused Cambodian forces of violating the truce just hours after it began.
The ceasefire started at midnight on Monday (July 29, 2025), following emergency peace talks in Malaysia aimed at ending five days of intense fighting along the countries’ 800-kilometer (500-mile) disputed border. The clashes have already killed at least 38 people and forced nearly 300,000 civilians to flee their homes.
However, by Tuesday morning, Thailand’s military spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree reported that Cambodian forces had fired into Thai territory in multiple areas, calling it a “deliberate violation” of the peace agreement.
“This undermines mutual trust,” Winthai said. “Thailand is responding in self-defence and in line with international norms.”
Despite the accusations, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai urged calm, saying that the situation had not escalated.
“Right now, things are calm,” he told reporters. “We are in contact with Cambodia’s defence ministry.”
Cambodian officials denied any breach of the truce. Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Maly Socheata said there had been no exchanges of fire since the ceasefire began. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet echoed this, stating in a Facebook post:
“The front line has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight.”
On the ground, journalists in both countries confirmed that the situation appeared calm overnight, with no sound of gunfire reported near key flashpoints.
Military talks between both sides were planned for 7 a.m. Tuesday to enforce the agreement and build on the truce, but they were rescheduled to 10 a.m., and later postponed indefinitely without a new time given.
Al Jazeera’s reporters in Thailand and Cambodia noted some “scattered skirmishes”, though overall, the ceasefire was holding.
The recent conflict marks the worst violence between Thailand and Cambodia since 2008–2011, when disputes over ancient temple territory and border demarcation led to similar deadly clashes. The current flare-up reportedly began after both militaries accused the other of cross-border artillery fire near heavily mined zones.
A cross-border committee is expected to meet on August 4 in Cambodia to continue peace efforts.
Regional powers, including Malaysia, which brokered the truce, are watching closely.
The international community, including the U.S. and ASEAN, have called for restraint and dialogue.
