"Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura announced that Bangkok decided to delay the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers over reported Cambodian 'violation' of de-escalation agreement reached on Saturday, December 27. "Our security agencies on the ground have detected Cambodian drones encroaching into Thailand's sovereign airspace, constituting a violation of Article Six of the joint statement, which stipulates that both parties must refrain from any provocative actions, including military operations that infringe upon the airspace, territory or positions of the other party," he said at a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday. "Therefore, Thailand is considering the timing of the release of the 18 soldiers,"  Nikorndej continued.  On Monday, Thailand's Royal Army issued a statement claiming that Cambodia 'breached' the agreement after launching more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the territory of the kingdom.  The Cambodian side rejected the accusation. Phnom Penh ordered a prohibition on the use of drones nationwide on Monday. In accordance with the initial agreement reached at a special General Border Committee meeting on December 27, the soldiers who spent 154 days in captivity were expected to be freed on December 30. Despite the incident, the de-escalation process between the two countries continues - Balankura confirmed that the sides are preparing to discuss "reduction of hostilities, demining, removal of heavy weapons, and the suppression of scammers to bring safety to the people along the border." The remarks came after a 72-hour ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia expired at 12:00 local time (5:00 am GMT) on Tuesday. Thailand and Cambodia signed a China-brokered ceasefire agreement on Saturday, as the delegations met at a border checkpoint in Thailand's Chanthaburi Province. Clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border have left over 100 people dead and have reportedly displaced nearly a million people since hostilities resumed in December."