Nationwide silence at the border as a ban on drone operations sweeps across the country
The Thai-Cambodian border remains a volatile region, despite a truce agreement that began on Tuesday following five days of clashes that resulted in at least 43 deaths on both sides. The recent clashes erupted as recently as late July 2025, near the Preah Vihear Temple and other disputed border areas, with both sides exchanging military strikes and diplomatic threats.
The truce, while initially promising, has been shaky. Thailand has accused Cambodia of continuing attacks, an attempt to undermine mutual trust. This allegation was denied by the Cambodian defense ministry, who in turn accused Thailand of breaching the ceasefire twice.
In an effort to maintain security, the Thai government has announced a nationwide ban on drone flying. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the regulatory body responsible for civilian aviation in Thailand, had previously banned drone flights in provinces near the Cambodian border and in a handful of other provinces deemed to be at risk. However, the escalating tensions led to the expansion of the ban, now covering the entire country.
CAAT has responded to reports of suspicious drone activity in some areas, raising concerns about security. The Royal Thai Air Force detected drones near Wing 21 in Ubon Ratchathani, but they did not pose a threat.
Jirayu Houngsub, the government spokesman, provided an update on the Facebook page of Government House on Thursday morning. He did not comment on the allegations of ceasefire breaches but emphasised the need for the drone ban for security reasons.
Despite these measures, the ongoing clashes and diplomatic tensions indicate that the situation remains fragile and unresolved. A press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on July 31, 2025, did not indicate a resolution or significant change in the status following the ceasefire agreement.
The ongoing conflict highlights the continued need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputes and bring peace to the Thai-Cambodian border.
[1] News Source 1 [2] News Source 2 [3] Press Briefing
[1] Political tensions and war-and-conflicts continue to simmer at the Thai-Cambodian border, as highlighted by the recent press briefing. [3]
[2] General news outlets report that despite a ceasefire agreement, the fragile truce has been marred by accusations, denials, and continued violence, indicating a need for increased diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputes. [1]
