Cambodia-Thailand border calm for 2nd day following ceasefire
Calm continued along the Cambodia-Thailand border for a second straight day on Sunday as a ceasefire agreement appeared to be holding after weeks of deadly clashes that killed more than 100 people and forced over half a million civilians to flee their homes on both sides.
Cambodian and Thai authorities confirmed that frontline conditions remained stable since the ceasefire took effect at noon on Saturday. Cambodian Ministry of National Defense spokeswoman Lt Gen Maly Socheata said no major incidents had been reported, describing the situation as steady and under control, according to state media.
Thailand’s military echoed that assessment, saying armed violence had subsided, although limited troop movement was observed in some areas. Thai media reported that commanders were closely monitoring positions to prevent misunderstandings or accidental escalation.
Under the ceasefire deal, both sides agreed to immediately halt all hostilities involving any type of weapon. The agreement also commits the two militaries to avoid unprovoked firing, troop advances or movements toward each other’s positions, and to maintain current force levels along the contested border. Reinforcements are prohibited as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Thailand further agreed to release and return 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been in Thai custody since July, once the ceasefire has remained in place for 72 consecutive hours, officials said.
Diplomatic efforts are set to continue, with the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand expected to meet on Monday during a China-hosted tripartite meeting in Yunnan province. Beijing has played a mediating role as concerns grow over regional stability.
Fighting flared again on December 8 following a border skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers. Since then, about 99 people have been killed. Thai authorities said 26 Thai soldiers and one civilian died, while 41 other civilians were killed by indirect or “collateral” effects of the clashes. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry reported that at least 31 Cambodian civilians lost their lives during the violence.
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