Fighting persisted on Saturday morning at the Thailand-Cambodia border despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts and announcement of a new ceasefire agreement. Thai officials denied agreeing to a ceasefire, while Cambodia did not directly address Trump’s statement and reported Thai airstrikes. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow criticized Trump’s remarks, particularly his description of a landmine incident as a “roadside accident,” emphasizing Thailand’s view that it was a deliberate act of aggression. Sihasak expressed disappointment in Trump’s reliance on potentially distorted information and highlighted Thailand’s pride in being the United States’ oldest treaty ally in the region.
The recent clashes, triggered by an altercation on December 7 that injured two Thai soldiers, disrupted a previous ceasefire facilitated by Trump in July. The July ceasefire, enforced under pressure from Trump threatening trade sanctions, was confirmed in more detail during a regional meeting in Malaysia attended by Trump in October.
The conflict has resulted in over two dozen reported fatalities on both sides of the border and displacement of more than half a million individuals. The Thai military confirmed 15 troop casualties, while Cambodia reported an estimated 165 soldier deaths and casualties among civilians. Following discussions with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Trump announced an agreement to reinstate the ceasefire.
Despite Trump’s announcement, Thai and Cambodian officials disputed the claim of a ceasefire. Anutin highlighted Thailand’s justifications for the conflict, emphasizing that peace depended on Cambodia halting its attacks first. Hun Manet expressed gratitude to Trump and Malaysia’s prime minister for their peace efforts and affirmed Cambodia’s readiness to cooperate.
Efforts to implement a ceasefire continued, with Malaysia and the U.S. proposed to monitor the situation. Thailand conducted airstrikes on alleged military targets, while Cambodia launched BM-21 rockets causing disruption but few casualties. The conflict escalated as Thailand’s navy reportedly joined the fighting, with both sides accusing each other of initiating hostilities.
