BANGKOK: Thailand accused Cambodia on Wednesday of a “flagrant violation” of a truce deal to end cross-border fighting, saying Cambodian troops launched an overnight attack on the frontier.

The nations agreed a ceasefire starting Tuesday after five days of clashes killed at least 43 on both sides, as a long-standing dispute over contested border temples boiled over into open combat on their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier.

But Thailand’s foreign ministry said its troops in Sisaket province “came under attack by small arms fire and grenade assaults launched by Cambodian forces” in an offensive which continued until Wednesday morning.

“This represents a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” said a foreign ministry statement.

Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab also reported overnight clashes but said in a statement “the Thai side maintained control of the situation” and “general conditions along the border are reported to be normal” from 8:00 am (0100 GMT).

Cambodia has previously denied breaking the truce, intended to end fighting which has seen the two countries evacuate a total of more than 300,000 people from the border region.

At a temple in Thailand’s Surin city serving as a shelter and field kitchen 50 kilometres away from the frontier, volunteer Thanin Kittiworranun said evacuees remain in limbo.

“We don’t believe Cambodia will hold the ceasefire,” the 65-year-old told AFP.