A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia held for a second consecutive day on Wednesday (July 30), despite both countries trading accusations of truce violations. In an effort to verify the agreement, Cambodia escorted military attachés and diplomats to a border checkpoint destroyed in recent clashes.
The visit followed Thailand’s claims that Cambodian forces breached the ceasefire at three separate sites along the disputed border—allegations Cambodia denied.
The two nations had agreed to an immediate and unconditional truce during a Monday meeting in Malaysia, aiming to end the most intense border conflict between them in over a decade. Since the announcement, no heavy artillery exchanges have been reported, though troops from both sides remain stationed at key points along the border.
The fighting, which spanned five days, resulted in at least 43 deaths—many of them civilians—and displaced over 300,000 people.
At the damaged checkpoint in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, Cambodian officials briefed foreign observers, alleging that Thai forces had unlawfully detained 20 Cambodian soldiers. “One of our soldiers escaped,” said Major General Chan Sopheaktra in a government statement. “We believe two others may have been killed, while the remaining are still in Thai custody.”
Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub confirmed that 18 Cambodian soldiers were in Thai custody after surrendering in Sisaket province. He said they were receiving food, water, clothing, and medical attention, and would be returned once a lasting ceasefire was in place. Two deceased Cambodian soldiers were repatriated on Tuesday, he added.
Responding to Cambodia’s invitation of observers to the conflict zone, Thai Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra said Thailand would conduct a similar visit once conditions allowed. “Cambodia acted swiftly because they initiated the attacks and had immediate control over the area,” he stated.
Thailand also accused Cambodia of overnight ceasefire violations, involving small arms, grenade launchers, and mortar fire in multiple locations. Cambodia dismissed these accusations as unfounded.
“Cambodia firmly rejects these false and misleading claims, which undermine the fragile trust needed for peace,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry. He reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for an independent monitoring mechanism.
The ceasefire agreement includes a freeze on troop movements and sets the stage for high-level military talks, including defence ministers from both countries, scheduled for August 4 in Cambodia.
Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are long-standing, driven by competing claims over sections of their 817-kilometre shared boundary, including areas surrounding ancient temples. A Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief clash in May, triggering a military buildup and a diplomatic standoff.
The latest outbreak followed Thai accusations that Cambodia planted new landmines along the border, injuring Thai soldiers—an allegation Phnom Penh has denied.
