Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating hours-old ceasefire

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have reached a critical point after Thailand accused Cambodia of breaking a ceasefire agreement that was supposed to end days of deadly border clashes. The ceasefire, which both countries agreed to on Monday, was meant to stop the violence that has already killed at least 33 people and forced thousands to flee their homes. However, Thailand claims that Cambodia continued to fire at its soldiers even after the ceasefire began at midnight, while Cambodia insists that there have been no armed clashes since the agreement took effect.

The conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors is rooted in a long-standing dispute over their shared border. The situation escalated in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed, and things got even worse last week after five Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine. In response, Thailand closed some border crossings, expelled the Cambodian ambassador, and recalled its own ambassador from Cambodia. The violence intensified when Cambodia fired rockets into Thailand, killing several civilians. Over the next few days, more people died on both sides, and tens of thousands were evacuated to shelters.

Despite the ongoing accusations, military leaders from both countries met on Tuesday as part of the ceasefire agreement. They agreed to stop shooting, halt the movement of troops on the frontline, and allow each other to collect the bodies of those who died. The ceasefire also calls for both armies to pull back and accept independent monitoring to prevent further clashes. The agreement was reached after a meeting in Malaysia, where Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met with Malaysia's leader Anwar Ibrahim. Cambodia had been pushing for a ceasefire, and its leader called the meeting very positive. Thailand, which was initially hesitant to negotiate, agreed to talks after the United States threatened to stop trade negotiations unless the fighting ended.

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia goes back decades. In 2008, Cambodia tried to register an ancient temple in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which angered Thailand and led to more clashes. Over the years, there have been several violent incidents, with both soldiers and civilians losing their lives. When tensions rose again in May, both countries imposed new restrictions on their borders. Cambodia banned imports from Thailand, including fruits and vegetables, and stopped buying power and internet services. Both sides also increased their military presence along the border.

As the ceasefire takes effect, there is hope that the violence will finally end. However, with both countries accusing each other of breaking the agreement, it is uncertain whether peace will last. Many people who have been forced to leave their homes are waiting anxiously to see if it will be safe to return. The international community, including the United States and Malaysia, is watching closely and urging both sides to stick to the ceasefire and find a peaceful solution to their long-running dispute.