Thailand’s military has accused Cambodian forces of breaching a ceasefire agreement at three locations along their disputed border, escalating tensions just days after both nations reached a truce. The allegations surfaced on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after a ceasefire brokered in Malaysia came into effect at midnight on March 15, 2024. This agreement aims to prevent further escalation in a conflict that has resulted in at least 43 fatalities and displaced over 300,000 civilians from both countries.
The ceasefire was facilitated by Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump, who warned both Thailand and Cambodia that trade negotiations would be adversely affected if hostilities persisted. Both countries are currently facing a 36 percent tariff on their exports to the United States, their largest market, unless they can negotiate a reduction.
Allegations and Responses
On Wednesday, Thailand reported that Cambodian forces fired upon positions in the northeastern region of Sisaket province, close to the Cambodian border. According to Thai army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree, the use of small arms and grenade launchers by Cambodian troops prompted a self-defensive response from Thai forces. Suvaree emphasized that this incident was the second since the truce was established and indicated a lack of commitment to the agreement, undermining trust between the two nations.
“This reflects a behaviour that does not respect agreements, destroys de-escalation efforts, and hampers trust between the two countries,”
Suvaree stated during a press conference.
In contrast, Cambodia has firmly rejected these accusations. According to Chum Sounry, the spokesperson for the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, the government is committed to upholding the ceasefire and is advocating for independent observers to monitor the situation. Sounry labeled the claims as false and misleading, asserting that they damage the fragile trust-building process between the two nations.
Future Diplomatic Efforts
The ceasefire agreement also includes provisions to halt troop movements, paving the way for a high-level military meeting scheduled for August 4 in Cambodia. This meeting will involve defence ministers from both countries and aims to address ongoing concerns related to border security and military cooperation.
While there have been no reports of heavy artillery exchanges since the ceasefire was enacted, there has also been no confirmation of troop withdrawals from either side. The situation remains delicate as both nations navigate the complexities of military engagement, diplomatic negotiations, and the need for stability in the region.
As tensions continue, the international community is closely monitoring developments to ensure that efforts toward peace and resolution are upheld, particularly given the significant humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.
