Thai Army Says 250+ Drones Flew From Cambodia, Jeopardising Ceasefire and Prisoner Release

Thailand's military on Monday accused Cambodia of violating a freshly signed ceasefire by flying more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Cambodian territory into Thailand on Sunday night. The allegation risks undermining a fragile truce agreed just days earlier following weeks of deadly border fighting that displaced more than a million people.

Allegation and Response

In a statement, the Thai army said that "more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were detected flying from the Cambodian side, intruding into Thailand's sovereign territory". Bangkok described the flights as a provocation and a breach of the joint measures intended to lower tensions.

"Such actions constitute provocation and a violation of measures aimed at reducing tensions," the army said.

Cambodian officials rejected the claim. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn called the incident "a small issue related to flying drones seen by both sides along the border line," saying both countries agreed to investigate and resolve it immediately. Phnom Penh's defence ministry spokeswoman, Maly Socheata, later denied that Cambodian forces had launched any drones, saying provincial and defence authorities had banned such flights along the border.

Ceasefire Terms and Stakes

The ceasefire, reached on Saturday, committed both countries to halt hostilities, freeze troop movements, cooperate on demining and cybercrime, and allow displaced civilians to return home. As part of the agreement, Thailand had pledged to return 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in July within 72 hours if the truce held.

Thailand's statement said the drone sightings could force it to "reconsider its decision regarding the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, depending on the situation and the behaviour observed." Family members of detainees expressed scepticism about the promised releases, with one wife telling AFP, "Until my husband arrives home, then I will believe them."

Diplomatic Efforts And Background

Foreign ministers from the two countries concluded two days of talks hosted by China in Yunnan province, where Cambodia, Thailand and China issued a joint statement pledging to "work step by step through mutual efforts to resume normal exchanges, rebuild political mutual trust, improve Cambodia-Thailand bilateral relations, and safeguard regional stability." Cambodia invited Thailand to another bilateral meeting in early January to continue border survey and demarcation work.

The clashes this month stem from a long-running dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of the roughly 800-kilometre (500-mile) border, where both countries claim historic temple ruins and surrounding territory. A previous truce brokered after deadly clashes in July — for which international mediators took credit — had already broken down, and renewed skirmishes spread across almost every border province on both sides.

Local Reaction

On Monday evening, more than a hundred Buddhist monks and several hundred civilians wearing white gathered at a war monument on the outskirts of Phnom Penh to pray for peace. Mok Sim, 73, said she joined to show that Cambodians wanted peace and to pray for the safe return of detained soldiers.

What Happens Next?

Both sides said they would investigate the drone sightings. If the allegation is substantiated, it could derail the ceasefire and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise the border and finish demarcation work. Regional and international mediators remain engaged, but tensions will likely persist until clearer verification mechanisms and confidence-building measures are implemented.