A newly signed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is facing its first major test after Thailand's military accused its neighbor of a significant violation, casting doubt on the fragile peace meant to end weeks of deadly border clashes.
The Royal Thai Army stated that on Sunday night, more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were detected flying from Cambodian territory into Thai airspace over four northeastern border provinces. In a strongly worded statement, the army condemned the flights as a "provocation" and a violation of the de-escalation measures both countries agreed to just days prior. The Thai military warned that this action could jeopardize a key part of the truce: the scheduled release of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during fighting in July. Thailand's army stated it "may need to reconsider its decision" on the prisoner release depending on Cambodia's continued behavior.
Cambodia's response to the allegation has been mixed. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn sought to downplay the incident, describing it as "a small issue related to flying drones seen by both sides along the border line". He stated that both sides agreed to investigate and resolve the matter immediately. However, Cambodia's defence ministry later issued a more definitive denial, with spokeswoman Maly Socheata asserting that no such drone launches occurred because authorities had banned such flights.
The dispute over the drones emerged even as top diplomats from both countries were meeting in China's Yunnan province for talks aimed at cementing the ceasefire. The two-day meeting, hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, concluded with statements about rebuilding political trust and maintaining regional stability. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow expressed cautious optimism, stating the parties were "moving in a positive direction," while Cambodian officials expressed hope for a permanent end to hostilities.
The current clashes are the latest eruption in a long-running territorial dispute rooted in ambiguities left by colonial-era border treaties from the early 1900s. The conflict centers on competing claims to ancient temple sites along the 800-kilometer (500-mile) border, particularly the Temple of Preah Vihear, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962. This history is intertwined with deep-seated cultural rivalry and nationalist sentiments, as both nations claim aspects of the other's cultural heritage.
Tensions escalated sharply in 2025. A skirmish in May near Preah Vihear resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. This was followed by a major outbreak of fighting in late July, which included Thai airstrikes, the first such combat use of the Thai air force in decades and led to a temporary ceasefire brokered with international mediation. That truce collapsed in early December, triggering nearly three weeks of intensified combat involving artillery, rockets, and further airstrikes that killed over 100 people and displaced more than half a million civilians from their homes.
The ceasefire that took effect at noon on December 27 represents another attempt to halt the bloodshed. The agreement, signed by the nations' defense ministers, mandates an immediate end to fighting, a freeze on troop movements, and cooperation on demining operations. A central element was the promise that Thailand would return the 18 captured Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours if the truce held.
The international community has played a persistent role. Previous ceasefire attempts in July and October involved mediation from the United States, China, and Malaysia (the 2025 chair of the ASEAN regional bloc). While U.S. President Donald Trump previously took credit for the earlier truce, his administration's role in the latest agreement has been less prominent. Analysts suggest domestic political pressures in both Thailand and Cambodia have fueled the conflict, with leaders potentially using nationalist fervor as a diversion from internal challenges.
The situation on the ground remains tense. Although gunfire has largely ceased since Saturday, villages near the border remain deserted, littered with shrapnel and unexploded ordnance, and civilians are afraid to return. The Thai military has indicated it will closely monitor compliance with the 72-hour truce period. With the underlying border dispute still unresolved and trust in short supply, the alleged drone incursion underscores how quickly the "hard-won" ceasefire could unravel, leaving the path to lasting peace uncertain.