THAI ARMY ACCUSES CAMBODIA OF BREAKING TRUCE WITH MORE THAN 250 DRONES. (PHOTO).

Thai army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce with more than 250 drones

 Thailand’s army accused Cambodia on Monday of violating a newly signed ceasefire by flying more than 250 drones over Thai territory, raising doubts about the stability of the truce reached after weeks of deadly border clashes. The ceasefire, agreed on Saturday, was intended to end fighting that killed dozens and displaced over a million people this month. Bangkok’s allegation, coupled with a warning to reconsider releasing Cambodian soldiers held in Thailand, threatens to undermine the fragile agreement even as foreign ministers from both countries concluded two days of talks in China.

The Thai army said the drones entered its sovereign territory on Sunday night, calling the activity “provocative” and inconsistent with measures to reduce tensions outlined in the ceasefire. The recent clashes had spread across nearly every border province, breaking an earlier truce credited to U.S. mediation. The agreement signed on Saturday called for a halt to fighting, frozen troop movements, cooperation on demining and cybercrime, and a return of civilians to border areas. Thailand had also pledged to release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July if the ceasefire held.

Cambodia described the drone flights as a “small issue” along the border and said the incident would be investigated and resolved. Thailand’s army, however, warned the drone activity reflected a hostile stance and could impact military personnel and civilian safety, signaling it might reconsider the release of the 18 soldiers. Families of the detained soldiers expressed concern that the release might be delayed.

The border conflict, rooted in a territorial dispute over the centuries-old demarcation of the 500-mile Thai-Cambodian border and contested temple sites, has repeatedly erupted despite international mediation. Cambodian, Thai, and Chinese officials said Monday that they would work step by step to restore trust, resume normal exchanges, and safeguard regional stability. Cambodia also invited Thailand to a follow-up border demarcation meeting in January.

Meanwhile, in Phnom Penh, more than a hundred Buddhist monks and hundreds of citizens gathered to pray for peace, urging the swift return of the detained soldiers. Mok Sim, 73, one of the participants, said she joined the prayers to show the world Cambodia’s desire for peace, while hoping for the safe return of soldiers held in Thailand.