‘Flagrant Violation’: Thailand Accuses Cambodia Of Breaking Newly Brokered Truce

Last Updated:July 30, 2025, 09:36 IST

Thai foreign ministry says Cambodian troops launched overnight grenade and small arms assault just hours after ceasefire, showing ‘apparent lack of good faith’

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared into deadly violence. (AP file photo )

Thailand on Wednesday accused Cambodia of breaching the newly brokered truce, saying its troops in Sisaket province came under attack overnight in an assault involving small arms and grenades.

“This represents a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement," Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith."

The offensive reportedly continued into Wednesday morning, just hours after both sides agreed to a ceasefire starting Tuesday, following five days of intense clashes.

Thailand Says It Responded Calmly, Border Conditions Stable By Morning

Despite the overnight incident, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said in a statement that “the Thai side maintained control of the situation" and “general conditions along the border are reported to be normal" from 8am local time (0100 GMT).

An AFP journalist on the Cambodian side, who had been hearing a steady drumbeat of artillery fire since last Thursday, reported hearing no blasts between the start of the truce and Wednesday morning.

Ceasefire Announced After Five Days Of Heavy Fighting

The ceasefire, announced on Tuesday after five days of intense border clashes, followed talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The truce was reportedly unconditional and aimed to halt the violence that had already killed at least 43 people on both sides and displaced more than 300,000.

The agreement was backed by regional and international diplomacy, and the peace pact was sealed in Malaysia after intervention from US President Donald Trump, who both Thailand and Cambodia are courting for a trade deal to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs.

Truce Got Off To A Shaky Start, Says Bangkok

The armistice got off to a shaky start in the early hours of Tuesday, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of continuing attacks in “a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust", before peace generally prevailed.

Scheduled meetings between rival commanders along the border went ahead as part of the agreement, with Thailand’s army saying de-escalation steps were agreed, including “a halt on troop reinforcements or movements that could lead to misunderstandings."

Maratee Nalita Andamo, spokeswoman for Thailand’s border crisis centre, cautioned that “in this moment, in the early days of the ceasefire, the situation is still fragile."

Both Sides Initially Denied Any Breach

On Tuesday, a Thai military spokesperson said its army had held discussions with Cambodian counterparts. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham stated there was “no escalation," while Cambodia’s defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said there had been “no armed clashes against each other in any regions."

Cambodia has previously denied breaking the truce, which was aimed at halting a sharp escalation in violence along the 800-kilometre (500-mile) border.

Casualties Mount In Border Flare-Up

Thailand has confirmed that 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed during the five-day conflict. Cambodia, meanwhile, reported eight civilian and five military deaths.

Decades-Old Temple Row Behind Renewed Violence

The ongoing conflict stems from a long-standing territorial dispute that worsened in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th-century temple in the disputed zone as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking sharp protests from Thailand. Since then, clashes have occurred sporadically, claiming lives on both sides.

The latest flare-up has already surpassed the death toll of 28 recorded during sporadic violence between 2008 and 2011, a period marked by frequent border skirmishes over the poorly defined frontier, drawn by Cambodia’s French colonial rulers in 1907.

Tensions reached a new low in May, with both countries imposing border restrictions. Cambodia banned Thai imports, including fruits, vegetables, electricity, and internet services. Both sides have also increased troop deployments along the 800-kilometre frontier in recent weeks.

The recent flare-up, which began last Thursday, involved jets, rockets, and heavy artillery fire.

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