Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers three days after both countries agreed to a renewed ceasefire. The soldiers had been detained since July during border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Thailand’s foreign ministry confirmed the release, describing it as a gesture of goodwill and confidence-building. Cambodia’s defense ministry said the soldiers returned home on Wednesday morning after 155 days in Thai custody.

The border conflict, which began in July, had previously been halted through mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, fighting resumed earlier this month, resulting in at least 101 deaths and the displacement of about half a million people from both sides. The two nations reached another ceasefire agreement over the weekend, which took effect on Saturday afternoon.

The soldiers were initially scheduled to be repatriated on Tuesday, but Thailand delayed the handover, citing alleged ceasefire violations. Cambodia denied those allegations, maintaining that it had not breached the agreement.

A ceasefire has taken effect along the Thailand–Cambodia border after several weeks of deadly clashes, but many displaced residents remain too fearful to return home. In Thailand’s Surin city, 21-year-old Kanlaya Somjettana said she would not go back until authorities confirm the area is safe, citing past ceasefire breakdowns. In Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, 35-year-old So Cheun, who is expecting a child, also plans to wait several days to ensure peace holds before returning.

Officials from both countries confirmed the ceasefire was in force on Sunday, though normal conditions have not yet been declared in most areas. The recent three-week conflict killed at least 47 people and displaced over one million across both nations. A previous truce in July collapsed after five days. Under the current agreement, both sides pledged to halt shelling, suspend troop movements, and facilitate civilian return, while Thailand promised to repatriate 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

Some residents, such as Thai farmer Saichon Wongpitak, have decided to return home for agricultural reasons despite doubts about the ceasefire’s durability.

Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement following 19 days of border clashes that left 96 people dead. In a joint statement released on Saturday, the defense ministers of both countries announced an immediate ceasefire, effective from noon local time. Both sides agreed to maintain their current troop positions without movement and to allow civilians living in border areas to return home. The statement also said that Thailand would release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

The conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors had intensified in recent weeks. Cambodia’s state news agency reported that Thai forces shelled a village in Banteay Meanchey province on Thursday morning, killing one Cambodian civilian. Cambodia’s National Assembly condemned the attack as “brutal and inhumane.” Meanwhile, the Thai military accused Cambodia of firing BM-21 rockets into a village in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

Thai authorities confirmed that 23 Thai soldiers, one civilian, and 41 other civilians were killed during the fighting, underscoring the heavy toll of the border violence.

The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia entered its 18th day on Thursday, with a total of 96 people reported dead. According to Cambodia’s state news agency Kampuchea Press, citing the Ministry of Defense, Thai forces shelled a village in Banteay Meanchey province on Thursday morning, killing one Cambodian civilian. Cambodia’s National Assembly condemned the attack as “brutal and inhumane.”

Thailand’s Daily Nation reported that the Thai army accused Cambodia of firing BM-21 rockets into a village in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Thai authorities said 23 Thai soldiers and one civilian were killed, while 41 civilians also lost their lives in the ongoing clashes.

In a related development, India condemned the destruction of a statue of the Hindu deity Vishnu in the disputed border area of Cambodia, allegedly by Thai forces. India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that such acts hurt the sentiments of followers worldwide and should not occur.

India has strongly condemned the destruction of a Hindu deity Vishnu statue by Thai forces in a disputed border area with Cambodia. The incident occurred on December 22, when Thai military personnel reportedly used an excavator to demolish the statue located about 100 meters inside Thai territory near the An Ses area. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said such acts hurt the sentiments of devotees worldwide and urged both nations to maintain peace and prevent further loss of life or property.

The statue, built in 2014, had been a symbol of shared cultural heritage between Buddhist and Hindu communities. Cambodia’s Preah Vihear provincial spokesperson Lim Chanpanha also denounced the act, calling it a violation of religious respect. The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which reignited in July despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, has seen sporadic clashes in recent months.

Analysts warn that the destruction could further strain regional relations and complicate ongoing peace efforts. Diplomatic observers expect renewed international mediation to prevent escalation along the sensitive frontier.

Thailand has declared martial law in several districts of its eastern Trat province following escalating border clashes with Cambodian forces. According to Thai media reports on Sunday, the move came after a Thai army staff sergeant was killed by a BM-21 rocket strike while on duty near the frontier. The Defense Ministry confirmed that the navy has also imposed curfews across four districts as fighting continues to intensify.

Under martial law, Thai security forces have been granted expanded powers to detain suspects, search vehicles, and inspect properties without prior authorization. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaipan of the Thai Navy stated that marine units had regained control over key areas in Cham Rak subdistrict after heavy combat. Senior military officials emphasized that Thailand’s strategic goal is to prevent Cambodia from posing a long-term security threat.

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, however, accused Thailand of shelling multiple villages and conducting airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets. Regional observers warn that the escalation could destabilize cross-border trade and humanitarian conditions if diplomacy fails to de-escalate tensions.

At least 23 people have been killed and around 700,000 displaced amid renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, officials confirmed on Friday, December 12. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry reported that over 274,000 people have been relocated to official shelters, while many others fled independently. Thailand’s Defense Ministry said more than 400,000 residents from seven border provinces have been moved to safety.

The Cambodian Interior Ministry stated that 11 civilians and one soldier have died, with 76 others injured since December 7. On the Thai side, nine soldiers and three civilians were reported dead, and 190 people wounded. The violence follows a peace agreement signed in October in Kuala Lumpur, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The long-standing border dispute has repeatedly disrupted regional trade and security. With land crossings closed since July, cross-border commerce remains paralyzed. Analysts warn that unless both governments resume dialogue, humanitarian conditions could worsen as displaced populations grow.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dissolved parliament following a week of renewed border clashes with Cambodia and growing political instability. A royal decree issued on December 12 confirmed that general elections will be held within 45 to 60 days. Anutin, who came to power three months ago leading a minority government, said the dissolution was necessary to return political authority to the people and restore stability.

The decision follows the withdrawal of support from the progressive, youth-backed People’s Party, which accused Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party of failing to honor a coalition agreement that included constitutional reforms. The government has also faced criticism over its handling of deadly floods in southern Thailand that killed at least 176 people. Recent border violence has left 20 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Thailand has seen persistent political turbulence, with two previous prime ministers removed by court rulings in the past year. Analysts say the upcoming election could reshape alliances and determine whether Thailand moves toward reform or returns to conservative dominance.

Heavy artillery and rocket fire have resumed along the Thailand–Cambodia border, forcing mass evacuations just five months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Thai military accused Cambodian troops of firing on an engineering team building an access road in a disputed area, injuring two soldiers. The fragile truce, mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump in July, has collapsed amid rising tensions and mutual suspicion.

Analysts say deep-rooted mistrust between the two neighbors undermined the ceasefire from the start. Thailand reluctantly accepted the July truce under U.S. tariff pressure, while Cambodia welcomed international involvement. Since then, new landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian forces have maimed several Thai soldiers, prompting Bangkok to accuse Phnom Penh of bad faith.

Thailand’s weakened coalition government has given its military broad authority to act, while domestic anger toward Cambodia has grown. Although Trump may attempt renewed mediation, both sides now demand concrete proof of goodwill before talks resume, leaving the border conflict at risk of further escalation.

At least seven people have been killed in renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Cambodian authorities reported that two civilians were killed overnight in Banteay Meanchey province after Thai forces shelled the area, bringing the total death toll to seven. Earlier, four Cambodian civilians were killed and ten injured in artillery fire along the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey border zones.

The Thai military said one of its soldiers was killed and 18 others wounded since the fighting began on Sunday. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the latest round of hostilities, which included airstrikes and the use of tanks by Thai forces. The violence marks one of the deadliest flare-ups in recent years along the disputed frontier.

The conflict stems from a century-old border disagreement dating back to the French colonial era, with both nations claiming sovereignty over several temple areas. Regional observers warn that continued escalation could undermine ASEAN stability and call for urgent diplomatic intervention.

Thailand’s defense forces conducted airstrikes on Cambodian territory early Monday, December 8, following renewed border clashes. The strikes targeted Cambodian military depots in the Chong En Ma Pass area, which Thai officials claimed stored artillery and mortars used against Thai troops and civilians. Major General Winthai Suvari, head of the Thai military’s public affairs office, confirmed the operation, describing it as a response to a Cambodian attack that killed one Thai soldier and injured two others the previous day.

Cambodia’s military confirmed the airstrikes, stating they occurred around 5:04 a.m. local time and hit army installations. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of ongoing provocations along the border. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were released. The clashes prompted Thailand to evacuate thousands of residents from four border provinces—Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani—with CNN reporting that up to 70% of border communities have been relocated.

The renewed hostilities raise fears of a wider conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, who have a long history of territorial disputes near ancient temple zones.

Thailand and Cambodia have once again clashed along their shared border, breaking months of uneasy calm. On Sunday, troops from both sides exchanged gunfire in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, leaving at least two Thai soldiers injured. The Thai military reported that Cambodian forces opened fire around 2:15 p.m. local time, prompting a retaliatory response that lasted roughly 35 minutes. Thousands of residents from four Thai border provinces were evacuated to safety following the incident.

The skirmish occurred shortly after Thailand lodged a formal complaint at the United Nations, accusing Cambodia of secretly planting landmines inside Thai territory. Bangkok claimed that several Thai and Chinese nationals had been injured by the explosions and urged the UN to investigate. Phnom Penh has not yet issued an official response.

This latest confrontation threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire brokered last July after a five-day conflict that killed 32 people. Regional observers warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize the broader Southeast Asian border region unless diplomatic channels reopen quickly.

A 65-year-old Thai woman named Chanthirot, bedridden for nearly two years, was mistakenly declared dead by her family after she lost consciousness on Sunday. Believing she had passed away, relatives placed her in a coffin and transported her about four hours to a temple near Bangkok for a free funeral service. However, during preparations for the cremation, faint cries for help were heard from inside the coffin. When opened, the woman was found trembling and waving her hands weakly. A video captured the stunned reactions of her relatives. Medical professionals later confirmed that she had not died but had suffered from extremely low blood sugar levels, causing her to appear lifeless. The incident took place in Phitsanulok province and has drawn widespread attention in Thailand for its shocking and miraculous nature.

Two judges of the 74th Miss Universe competition resigned just three days before the final event, citing concerns over transparency and fairness. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his resignation on Instagram, claiming that an unofficial jury had already selected 30 finalists from 136 contestants without the presence of the official eight-member panel. He alleged that some members of this informal group had personal ties with certain contestants. Shortly after Harfouch’s resignation, French football manager Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing personal reasons. The Miss Universe Organization denied the allegations, clarifying that no external group was involved in the evaluation process. They explained that Harfouch may have confused the 'Beyond the Crown' initiative—an independent social program with its own committee—with the main competition’s judging process. The final event is scheduled to take place in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand, on November 21.

US President Donald Trump said he contacted the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to strengthen a peace deal he co-signed last month, following renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations. The truce, signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur during Trump’s Asia tour, was suspended earlier this week by Thailand after an alleged landmine explosion. Both countries have since exchanged accusations over new fighting that reportedly left one civilian dead. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he used the threat of tariffs to help stop further escalation, expressing optimism that the situation would stabilize. The White House confirmed that Malaysia, which has been mediating the conflict, remains involved in efforts to maintain the ceasefire. The long-running dispute centers on overlapping territorial claims dating back to French colonial-era border maps and has previously caused deadly confrontations and mass displacements along the frontier.