SURIN, Thailand (AP) – Intense fighting erupted on Saturday morning along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, even after U.S. President Donald Trump, acting as a mediator, claimed he had secured an agreement for a new ceasefire from both nations.
However, Thai officials have denied agreeing to a ceasefire. Cambodia has not responded directly to Trump's assertion, but the Cambodian defense ministry confirmed that Thai jets conducted airstrikes on Saturday morning. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that some of Trump's remarks did not accurately reflect the reality on the ground. He criticized Trump's description of a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers as a "roadside accident," insisting that it was a deliberate act of aggression.
Sihasak expressed that Trump's reliance on potentially misleading information from different sources has offended the Thai people, as they take pride in being the oldest treaty ally of the United States in the region. The recent upsurge in violence was triggered by a skirmish on December 7, which resulted in injuries to two Thai soldiers and disrupted a ceasefire facilitated by Trump, which had briefly halted five days of fighting in July over long-standing territorial disputes.
The July ceasefire was mediated by Malaysia and was pushed through under Trump’s pressure, who had threatened to revoke trade privileges unless both Thailand and Cambodia reached an agreement. This ceasefire was elaborated upon in October during a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended.
Reports indicate that over two dozen individuals across the border have been killed in the latest round of fighting, with more than half a million people displaced. The Thai military confirmed that 15 of its soldiers lost their lives, while estimates indicated that around 165 Cambodian soldiers have died as well. Cambodia has not released any data on military casualties but has reported at least 11 civilian deaths and more than 60 injured.
After Trump’s interactions with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, he announced on Friday that both parties had agreed to cease all hostilities effective that evening and revert to the original Peace Accord facilitated by him and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trump's claims came shortly after midnight in Bangkok.
Despite Trump's assertions, Thai Prime Minister Anutin clarified that he had explained Thailand’s reasons for continuing military action, emphasizing that any peace would depend on Cambodia halting its attacks first. Subsequently, the Thai foreign ministry specifically refuted Trump's claim regarding a ceasefire.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, in his statements early Saturday, also refrained from mentioning any ceasefire. He acknowledged his phone discussions with Trump and thanked both leaders for their ongoing efforts toward achieving lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand, highlighting Cambodia's readiness to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Anwar has urged both countries to implement a ceasefire. Cambodia's Prime Minister endorsed the proposal, which includes monitoring by Malaysia and the United States. However, Prime Minister Anutin dismissed claims that Thailand was negotiating over the ceasefire proposal.
The fighting conditions on the ground have led to significant casualties as Thailand has conducted airstrikes targeting military installations, while Cambodia has been retaliating with thousands of medium-range BM-21 rockets. While these rockets have caused widespread damage, they have resulted in relatively few casualties due to the localized evacuations.
Nevertheless, the Thai army reported that BM-21 rockets landed in civilian areas within Thailand's Sisaket province, injuring two civilians attempting to seek shelter. Additionally, there are reports stating that Thailand's navy has joined the combat, with naval artillery shelling Cambodia's Koh Kong province. Both countries accuse each other of initiating the hostilities.
