Thailand’s army accused Cambodia on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued regardless of a deal meant to finish the bloody preventing that has engulfed their jungle-clad frontier.
Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday (July 28, 2025), each side agreed an unconditional ceasefire would begin at midnight to finish preventing over a smattering of historical temples in disputed zones alongside their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border.
“At the time the agreement took effect, the Thai side detected that Cambodian forces had launched armed attacks into several areas within Thai territory,” mentioned Thailand army spokesman Winthai Suwaree.
“This constitutes a deliberate violation of the agreement and a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust, he added in a statement.
“Thailand is compelled to respond appropriately, exercising its legitimate right to self-defense.”
In Cambodia’s Samraong metropolis — 20 kilometres from the border — an AFP journalist mentioned the sound of blasts stopped within the half-hour main as much as midnight, with the lull persevering with till daybreak.
“The frontline has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet mentioned in a Tuesday morning message on Facebook.
Jets, rockets and artillery have killed no less than 38 individuals since final Thursday (July 24, 2025) and displaced practically 300,000 extra — prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend.
The flare-up was the deadliest since violence raged sporadically from 2008-2011 over the territory, claimed by each as a result of of a imprecise demarcation made by Cambodia’s French colonial directors in 1907.
The peace deal was set to see army commanders from each side meet at 07:00 a.m. (0000 GMT), earlier than a cross-border committee is convened in Cambodia to additional salve tensions on August 4.
“When I heard the news I was so happy because I miss my home and my belongings that I left behind,” Phean Neth advised AFP on Monday night at a sprawling camp for Cambodian evacuees on a temple website away from the preventing.
“I am so happy that I can’t describe it,” mentioned the 45-year-old.
‘Good faith’
A joint assertion from each international locations — in addition to Malaysia which hosted the peace talks — mentioned the ceasefire was “a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security”.
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres mentioned in a press release Monday night that “he urges both countries to respect the agreement fully and to create an environment conducive to addressing long-standing issues and achieving lasting peace”.
Both sides are courting Mr. Trump for commerce offers to avert his risk of eye-watering tariffs, and the US State Department mentioned its officers had been “on the ground” to shepherd peace talks.
The joint assertion mentioned China additionally had “active participation” within the talks, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN bloc chair Anwar Ibrahim in his nation’s administrative capital Putrajaya.
Mr. Hun Manet thanked Mr. Trump for his “decisive” assist, whereas his counterpart, Thai appearing Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, mentioned it must be “carried out in good faith by both sides”.
“If they say they’ll stop firing, they must stop completely,” mentioned 43-year-old Thai evacuee Prapakarn Samruamjit within the metropolis of Surin.
Post-truce tariff offers
Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday (July 28, 2025), however a discover within the nation’s Royal Gazette mentioned public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok’s Grand Palace had been cancelled amid the strife.
Each aspect had already agreed to a truce in precept, whereas accusing the opposite of undermining peace efforts and buying and selling allegations concerning the use of cluster bombs and concentrating on of hospitals.
Thailand says 11 of its troopers and 14 civilians have been killed, whereas Cambodia has confirmed solely eight civilian and 5 army deaths.
More than 138,000 individuals have fled Thailand’s border areas, whereas round 140,000 have been pushed from their houses in Cambodia.
Negotiation efforts ongoing between Thai-Cambodia militaries
Negotiation efforts between the Thai and Cambodian militaries are ongoing, a Thai army spokesman mentioned on Tuesday, and talks between each side are actually scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. native time (0300 GMT).
In a ceasefire settlement introduced in Malaysia on Monday, the 2 militaries had been planning to carry talks at 7 a.m. on Tuesday following a cessation of violence at midnight.
(With inputs from Reuters)
