President Donald Trump gestures during a signing ceremony on an AI initiative in the Oval Office, white house. Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Friday he had secured a renewed Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire, even as clashes continued along the disputed border. Conflicting statements from Bangkok and Phnom Penh raised doubts about whether the truce was truly back in force.
Trump Announces Ceasefire on Social Media
Trump said Thai and Cambodian leaders agreed to halt all fighting by Friday evening. He made the announcement after calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said both sides would return to the original peace accord. He credited Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for helping broker the renewed deal.
Officials Dispute Ceasefire Claims
Thai officials quickly challenged Trump’s assertion. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no ceasefire agreement had been finalized. A Thai defense spokesperson confirmed that clashes were still ongoing.
Cambodia’s defense ministry also reported continued Thai strikes early Saturday. Those claims could not be independently verified.
The conflicting accounts highlighted the fragile state of the supposed ceasefire.
Thailand Signals Hardline Position
Before Trump’s public post, Anutin spoke candidly about Thailand’s stance. He said Thailand would continue fighting until Cambodia no longer threatened its sovereignty.
“I told him not to just say we must stop fighting,” Anutin said. He urged Cambodia to withdraw forces and clear land mines. He demanded visible actions, not statements.
Malaysia’s Role in Mediation
Trump emphasized Malaysia’s role in pushing both sides toward talks. He said the renewed ceasefire could prevent a larger regional war.
The original Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire was reached in July. It followed pressure from the U.S., including threats to restrict trade privileges.
That deal was formalized in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia attended by Trump.
Truce Struggled From the Start
Despite the agreement, tensions never fully eased. Both countries continued a propaganda battle. Minor cross-border violence persisted in the months that followed.
The current flare-up shows how unstable the earlier ceasefire remained.
Deep Roots of the Border Conflict
The dispute dates back more than a century. It centers on territorial claims tied to a 1907 map created during French colonial rule in Cambodia.
Thailand argues the map is inaccurate. Tensions worsened after a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarded sovereignty to Cambodia. The decision still fuels anger in Thailand.
Escalation With Heavy Weapons
Thailand has deployed jet fighters for airstrikes it calls precision military operations. Cambodia has responded using BM-21 rocket launchers, capable of striking targets up to 40 kilometers away.
Thai public broadcaster ThaiPBS reported that rocket shrapnel killed at least six Thai soldiers. Thai forces said Cambodian rockets damaged homes near the border.
Temple Site Becomes Flashpoint
The Thai army said it destroyed a tall crane on a hill near the Preah Vihear temple. Officials claimed the structure housed military surveillance equipment.
The ancient temple has long been a symbol of the border dispute.
Trump Defends His Diplomatic Record
Trump has repeatedly said he helped resolve multiple global conflicts since returning to office. He includes the Thailand-Cambodia dispute among those claims.
Speaking later Friday, Trump said the situation was “straightened out.” He added that relations between Thailand and Cambodia were now “in good shape.”
Other Trump-Brokered Deals Under Strain
Other ceasefires Trump cites face challenges. A recent peace deal between Congo and Rwanda is under pressure after fresh violence erupted in eastern Congo.
An international contact group urged all sides to honor their commitments and de-escalate immediately.
Trump’s proposed plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza also remains unfinished, with fighting continuing as negotiations stall.
The Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire remains uncertain. While diplomacy continues, fighting on the ground tells a different story.
