Thailand accuses Cambodian troops of second ceasefire breach along border

Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of opening fire across the disputed frontier on Wednesday, the second reported violation since a Malaysia-brokered truce took effect at midnight on Monday.

Thai military officials said Cambodian soldiers used small arms and grenade launchers at three positions inside Sisaket province on Cambodia’s northern border, prompting Thai troops to return fire “in self-defence.”

“This behaviour shows no respect for the agreement, undermines de-escalation efforts and erodes trust between the two countries,” army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree told reporters in Bangkok.

Cambodia denied the charge, calling it “false, misleading and harmful to the fragile trust-building process.” Foreign-ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry reiterated Phnom Penh’s support for independent monitors to oversee the ceasefire.

The truce, negotiated in Kuala Lumpur after five days of the heaviest fighting in more than a decade, was pushed by Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump. Mr Trump warned both sides that their exports face a 36 % tariff in the U.S.—their largest market—unless hostilities stop and trade terms are renegotiated.

At least 43 people have been killed and more than 300,000 civilians displaced on either side of the frontier since deadly clashes flared on 25 July, according to Thai and Cambodian officials.

Under the ceasefire, both armies agreed to halt troop movements ahead of a high-level meeting of defence ministers scheduled for 4 August in Cambodia. There have been no reports of heavy artillery fire since the deal, but neither side has begun withdrawing forces.

Malaysia has offered to chair a joint monitoring mechanism, while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is considering sending observers if requested, diplomatic sources said.

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