Thailand has signaled it will continue military operations along its disputed border with Cambodia, openly rejecting claims that a ceasefire had been reached through international mediation. The stance came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump said he had secured an agreement to halt hostilities between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that Thailand would not stand down while it still perceived threats to its territory and citizens. Posting on social media, Anutin emphasized that ongoing military actions reflected the country’s position more clearly than any external announcements. Thai fighter jets reportedly carried out strikes near the border on Saturday, underscoring Bangkok’s refusal to acknowledge any pause in combat.
Trump had earlier claimed he spoke separately with Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, asserting both leaders agreed to stop the fighting. However, neither government publicly confirmed such an agreement. Anutin later clarified that no ceasefire was in effect, saying Thailand’s actions demonstrated its intentions unmistakably. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the renewed clashes.
Border Clashes Intensify Amid Conflicting Narratives
Cambodia, while stopping short of confirming a ceasefire, reiterated its preference for a peaceful resolution. Prime Minister Hun Manet said Phnom Penh remained committed to dialogue and agreements reached earlier this year. Despite this, fighting continued along several sections of the 817-kilometer border, with both sides accusing the other of escalation.
The latest round of violence marks one of the most intense confrontations since a brief but deadly clash in July. Heavy weapons fire has been reported across multiple border provinces since earlier in the week. Thai officials claim Cambodian forces initiated attacks using artillery, forcing Thailand to retaliate. Cambodian authorities counter that Thai forces struck civilian infrastructure overnight, including bridges and buildings, and fired artillery from naval positions.
Tensions sharply increased last month after Thailand suspended a previous truce following a landmine explosion that seriously injured a Thai soldier. Bangkok alleges the mines were newly placed by Cambodian forces, an accusation Cambodia strongly denies. Anutin also dismissed suggestions that the blast was accidental, insisting it was deliberate and should be treated as such.
Hun Manet has called on the United States and Malaysia, both involved in mediation efforts, to help determine responsibility for the latest fighting. He urged third-party verification using intelligence capabilities to establish which side fired first, signaling Cambodia’s desire for external validation.
As diplomacy struggles to keep pace with events on the ground, the renewed clashes highlight the fragility of ceasefire efforts and the deep mistrust between the two nations. With neither side willing to de-escalate unilaterally, the border dispute remains a serious flashpoint with potential regional consequences.
