Bangkok / Phnom Penh - Saba:
The Thai and Cambodian armies exchanged accusations on Tuesday of "violating the ceasefire," which took effect at midnight Monday, noting that "fighting continued today in several border locations."
After the ceasefire was announced, "violations were reported in the Phu Makua area, caused by the Cambodian side, which led to an exchange of fire between the two sides that continued until Tuesday morning," the Russian news agency Sputnik quoted Reach Sokswanon, deputy spokesman for the Thai military, as saying in a statement.
Clashes also took place in the Sam Tait area, which continued until 5:30 a.m. Thai military spokesman Winthai Suwari said, "Upon the entry into force of the agreement, the Thai side observed that Cambodian forces launched armed attacks on several areas within Thai territory."
This comes as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manit announced Tuesday morning that the situation on the border with Thailand had calmed down after the ceasefire took effect at midnight on Monday.
"The front has calmed down after the ceasefire took effect at midnight on Monday, in line with the spirit of the agreement between Cambodia and Thailand during the special meeting in Malaysia," Hun Manit said in a social media post, according to China's Xinhua News Agency. "The early cessation of hostilities will also allow affected people, such as the displaced, to return to their homes and resume their normal lives as soon as possible."
For his part, Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen affirmed in a separate statement that "the ceasefire and peace agreement is achieving positive and effective results."
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had reached an agreement to implement a ceasefire starting at midnight on Monday, following a meeting held in Malaysia under his auspices.
It is worth noting that clashes between the two sides in the disputed border areas began on July 24, with both sides trading accusations of violating international law.