SURIN: An uneasy ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to hold on Tuesday, as military commanders met despite Bangkok’s allegations the truce had been breached with sporadic skirmishes.

Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end deadly fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre border.

The Thai military said that Cambodian troops “had launched armed attacks into several areas” in “a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust”, but said clashes later stopped.

Cambodia’s defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata insisted there had been “no armed clashes against each other in any regions”. Both sides said morning meetings between rival military commanders along the border — scheduled as part of the pact — had gone ahead.

In the Thai village of Ta Miang, seven kilometres from the frontier, Wanta Putmo said constant blasts for the last five days had stopped her from sleeping in the cramped bunker she had shared with nine others.

“I feel a little relieved, but not completely,” the 68-year-old farmer said, after surviving mostly on canned fish and instant noodles donated by a local monk.

“Maybe if I don’t hear gunfire and shellings tomorrow, I might finally feel at ease and go back home,” she added.

‘A minor skirmish’

Thailand’s army said three meetings on the frontier had seen senior officers agree to de-escalation measures including “a halt on troop reinforcements or movements that could lead to misunderstandings”. But the Thai military also said it had captured 18 Cambodian troops in post-ceasefire fighting “after Cambodian forces launched heavy and indirect fire into Thai territory”.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2025