Ceasefire Holds, but Tensions Persist Along Thailand–Cambodia Border

A recently renewed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia remains in effect, but Thai authorities say multiple violations have strained trust and delayed the planned release of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during earlier clashes.

The truce, which began at noon on Saturday and was intended to stabilize the border after 20 days of intense fighting that killed more than 100 people and displaced over half a million, passed its initial 72‑hour milestone earlier this week. Under the agreement, Thailand was expected to repatriate the detained Cambodian troops once the ceasefire held for that period.

However, Thai officials reported what they described as significant breaches of the deal, including the detection of more than 250 drones allegedly entering Thai airspace from Cambodia on Sunday night. Bangkok said these incidents prompted a reassessment of the timing of the prisoner handover. Cambodia has denied the drone activity and has since issued a nationwide ban on drone use while the matter is investigated.

In a separate incident, a Thai soldier was severely injured by a landmine blast near the border, prompting Thailand’s Foreign Ministry to lodge a formal protest with Phnom Penh. Landmines have been a recurring trigger in the latest cycle of violence, which reignited after a previous ceasefire collapsed earlier in the month.

Officials on both sides have acknowledged the fragility of the current truce. Thailand’s foreign minister urged restraint and warned against actions that could undermine the agreement, while Cambodian authorities said they were monitoring the situation and remained committed to de-escalation.

Despite the uneasy calm, displaced families along the frontier remain hesitant to return home, citing uncertainty about whether the ceasefire will endure.