Thailand-Cambodia border calm despite delay in military talks

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have eased after a ceasefire ended five days of deadly border clashes, but military talks remain delayed and Bangkok plans to report violations to the U.S. and China.

The Thai and Cambodian militaries have agreed to halt any further troop deployments along their shared border, following a ceasefire that brought an end to five days of intense conflict, a Cambodian official confirmed on Tuesday.

Lim Menghour, Director-General of the Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia's National Assembly, told Reuters that deploying international observers will be essential to ensuring the ceasefire holds.

Thailand intends to brief the U.S. and China—key mediators of the unconditional truce about alleged ceasefire violations by Cambodian forces at five locations along the border. These reports have emerged since the truce took effect at midnight on Monday, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap.

Although the Thai military responded in kind to Cambodian provocations, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized that the situation is no longer escalating.

“There is no escalation,” he told reporters. “Right now things are calm.”

On the Cambodian side, Prime Minister Hun Manet stated in a Facebook post that “the frontline has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight.”

While some regional commanders held initial talks, military leaders from the most heavily contested border zones have not yet met. A meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning was delayed with no new time set.

Despite the tension, daily life resumed in areas near the conflict zone. Streets in Thailand’s Sisaket province reopened, and locals like shop owner Chaiya Phumjaroen expressed relief at the ceasefire, hoping it would bring long-term stability.

"I am very happy that a ceasefire happened," he said. "If they continue to fight, we have no opportunity to make money."

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that ongoing conflict would stall U.S. trade talks, which are crucial as both countries face 36% tariffs on exports.

Thailand’s finance minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, announced that trade talks with Washington are expected to conclude before 1 August, and that the final tariffs may be lower than the originally proposed rate.

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