Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border continued to escalate on Saturday despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that he had secured a renewed ceasefire between the two countries. Trump announced on Friday that both governments had agreed to halt hostilities after he held separate phone conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. He asserted on Truth Social that firing would stop immediately and that both sides had agreed to return to an earlier peace accord brokered with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Within hours, Thailand publicly contradicted Trump’s version of events. Prime Minister Anutin stated that Thailand had not agreed to halt military action and would continue operations until it was fully assured that Cambodia no longer posed a threat to Thai territory or citizens. He dismissed Trump’s characterisation of a land mine blast that injured Thai soldiers as an “accident,” insisting that Thailand saw it as an intentional act of aggression.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow also expressed displeasure, saying Trump’s remarks did not reflect an accurate understanding of the conflict. He noted that the US president appeared to rely on misleading information despite Thailand being Washington’s oldest treaty ally in the region.
Cambodia has avoided directly confirming whether it agreed to the ceasefire claimed by Trump, but it has accused Thailand of intensifying attacks. Its defence ministry alleged that the Thai air force deployed two F-16s to drop seven bombs on Cambodian territory on December 13, adding that strikes were ongoing. Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged speaking with both Trump and Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim and thanked them for their mediation efforts, but did not confirm any truce.
Malaysia, which helped broker the previous ceasefire in July after Trump threatened to revoke trade privileges, continues to play a mediation role. That earlier agreement was reinforced during a regional meeting in Malaysia in October but has since collapsed amid renewed violence.
The latest fighting began on December 7 after a skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers. Thailand responded with airstrikes on what it said were Cambodian military targets, while Cambodia retaliated with thousands of BM-21 rockets, causing widespread destruction.
Casualties continue to mount: Thailand has confirmed 15 soldiers killed and estimates Cambodian military deaths at 165. Cambodia has reported at least 11 civilian deaths and more than 60 injuries. Over half a million people have been displaced in the worsening conflict.
Despite Trump insisting on Friday that the dispute had been “straightened out,” continued shelling and airstrikes indicate that the ceasefire he announced has not materialised.
