Border conflict: Despite Trump call: Thailand and Cambodia continue to fight

Despite the demands of US President Donald Trump after a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, the border region struggled again in the morning. The Foreign Ministry in Bangkok quoted the statement of a military spokesman that Cambodia started the battles and also hit civilian houses in the fire. According to the Thai newspaper “Khaosod”, the attack in the Phanom Dong Rak district in the northeastern province of Surin occurred.

Cambodia, on the other hand, accused the neighboring country of opening fire in the early morning. “Despite telephone calls between the heads of government of the two countries and US President Donald Trump, Thai soldiers have so far continued to penetrate Cambodian territory aggressively,” said the newspaper “Phnom Penh Post” on X. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, two well-known Hindu temples are said to have been targeted.

Since the beginning of the clashes on Thursday, the Southeast Asian neighboring countries accused each other of having triggered the escalation.

Trump wrote on Saturday after the phone calls on the Truth Social platform: “You agreed to meet immediately and quickly work out peace and ultimately peace!” He added: “By chance we are negotiating with both countries about our trade relationships, but we don’t want to close a deal with any of the two countries if they fight – and I told them too!”

How do the countries react to Trump’s demand?

The Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a message that his country voice Trump’s proposal of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces. He thanked the US President for his initiative and the mediation in the conflict.

Thailand also emphasized Thailand Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai that his government was “fundamentally agreed with an armistice”. However, the Cambodian side must first show serious peace intentions.

Number of displaced persons increases

The border conflict, which has been smoldering since the colonial period, had recently escalated dangerously. After changing the fires on the border, the Thai military, according to combat jets, had used fighter jets against Cambodian positions. Cambodia reacted with artillery fire, also to residential areas. There were dead and injured on both sides, especially civilians.

According to government, more than 130,000 people are fleeing in Thailand. According to the Ministry of Department in Phnom Penh, the number of displaced persons in Cambodia has now increased to 80,000. More than 500 schools in the border area are closed.