The Thai army has accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement after weeks of bloody border clashes. Bangkok claims that Cambodia has sent a large number of drones to the border area in violation of the terms of the agreement.

A statement from the Royal Thai Army on Monday said that more than 250 drones were seen flying over the Cambodian border on Sunday night. The Cambodian move is provocative and contrary to efforts to de-escalate tensions. Their actions are not in line with the terms of the ceasefire.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire last Saturday after dozens of people were killed and more than a million people were displaced in border clashes this month.

The main terms of the agreement were that both sides would keep their troops at their current positions, not increase their forces and allow civilians in the border area to return home as soon as possible.

The agreement was seen as a major breakthrough, with China and the United States providing diplomatic encouragement.

Even after the ceasefire agreement was signed, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised it as a “hard-won success” and US President Donald Trump praised it as a “quick and fair solution”.

Warning over prisoner release:

The Thai military said that if Cambodia continued such provocations, Thailand may have to reconsider the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been in its custody since July.

The Thai statement also said that if the ceasefire agreement and national sovereignty violations continue, Thailand will be forced to respond appropriately.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon described the drone incident as a “small matter”.

Behind the conflict:

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is centuries-old. But earlier this year, tensions flared up again over the singing of patriotic songs by Cambodian women at a disputed temple.

Relations between the two countries reached their lowest point in a decade after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash in May.

After two failed ceasefire attempts in July and October, major fighting broke out again in early December. At least 101 people were killed and nearly a million people were displaced during the 20-day bloody conflict.

The two countries had previously agreed to a fragile ceasefire in July, which was formally signed in October.

But earlier this month, the peace efforts collapsed when armed clashes broke out again along the border. Thailand and Cambodia blamed each other for violating the ceasefire.