Military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia held high-level talks on Tuesday as relative calm returned to their disputed border region, following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement that ended five days of deadly clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours.
The talks came just a day after leaders from both countries met in Malaysia and brokered a ceasefire deal to halt what has become their deadliest border conflict in more than a decade. The recent fighting left at least 40 people dead, most of them civilians, and displaced more than 300,000 residents from both nations.
On Tuesday morning, Thai military officials reported that Cambodian troops had allegedly launched fresh attacks at no fewer than five border locations, in violation of the ceasefire which officially took effect at midnight. However, the Cambodian government swiftly denied the allegations, with Defence Minister Tea Seiha issuing a statement affirming that Cambodian forces had “strictly abided by the ceasefire terms” and remained committed to upholding the truce.
Despite the conflicting narratives, field commanders from both armies convened along the frontier and agreed to honour the ceasefire. According to Thai Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, the commanding officers agreed to halt all troop movements and facilitate the recovery and return of wounded soldiers and fallen personnel.
“Each side will establish a coordinating team of four members to quickly resolve any emerging issues or misunderstandings on the ground,” Major General Winthai told reporters.
The Thai delegation was led by the commander of the 2nd Region Army, which oversees the volatile border sector that bore the brunt of the fighting. His Cambodian counterpart participated in the joint dialogue aimed at stabilizing the situation and preventing further escalation.
Adding a layer of diplomatic oversight, Lim Menghour, Director-General of the Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia’s National Assembly, emphasized the necessity of third-party monitoring to ensure full compliance with the ceasefire. “The presence of international observers is key to ensuring that both sides adhere to the terms agreed upon in Malaysia,” he told Reuters.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that his government had filed formal complaints with Malaysia, the United States, and China over the alleged ceasefire breaches by Cambodian forces. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the situation along the border was stabilizing.
“Calm has largely returned to the area,” he said during a press briefing.
In Thailand’s northeastern Sisaket Province, specifically in Kantharalak district, about 30 kilometres from the frontlines, vehicular traffic and civilian life resumed cautiously on Tuesday. Markets reopened, schools prepared for possible re-entry, and some displaced families began returning to their homes under the protection of the Thai military.
Despite the calm, thousands of troops remain stationed near the disputed border, underscoring the fragile nature of the peace. Both governments have signalled their commitment to continued dialogue, though experts warn that the situation remains fluid.
The recent conflict reignited long-standing territorial disputes between the two nations, which have flared up periodically over the past decades. Regional observers are urging ASEAN and the international community to remain engaged to prevent further violence and promote lasting peace in the region.
Written By Rodney Mbua
