Tensions on the Thailand-Cambodia border continue despite a fragile ceasefire. Thai and Cambodian officials met in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur to cement the truce, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms.
A four-day summit is underway, with a meeting scheduled between Thai Deputy Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakpanit and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha, attended by observers from Malaysia, China, and the US. However, sources on the ground say troops are building up on both sides of the disputed border.
The ceasefire has held since July 28, when five days of fighting between Cambodian and Thai forces ended. At least 24 civilians were killed and over 260,000 displaced during the clashes. Despite the truce, both countries continue to accuse each other of violating its terms.
Residents in the affected area are anxious about the outcome of the border talks and the potential for further clashes. Many have been traumatized by their recent experience and are struggling to return home due to ongoing tension and reports of renewed troop build-ups.
The situation is not stable, according to Wasawat Puangpornsri, a member of Thailand’s parliament whose constituency includes Ubon Ratchathani province’s Nam Yuen district on the border with Cambodia. The head of a district in Ubon Ratchathani also confirmed that people are not yet returning home due to the ongoing tension.
The Thai military is wary of its Cambodian counterpart, and many evacuees have been left without homes or livelihoods. Displaced residents hope the outcome of the border talks will bring stability, but continued troop movements and diplomatic sparring are leaving them anxious.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/7/locals-pray-for-peace-as-thailand-cambodia-tensions-continue-despite-talks