US President Donald Trump recently announced that he has engaged in discussions with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, both of whom are eager for an immediate ceasefire. This comes as the conflict along their border has now entered its third day.
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During his visit to Scotland, Trump expressed his desire for “an end to the war, which is currently raging,” and cautioned that he would refrain from initiating any trade agreements with either Southeast Asian nation as long as hostilities persist. He emphasized, “We must prioritize peace.”
The clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have intensified, with new confrontations emerging as both parties insist they have acted in self-defense. Each side is calling for a halt to the fighting and the start of negotiations, underlining the urgency of diplomatic intervention.
According to reports, over 30 individuals have lost their lives and more than 130,000 have been displaced—the worst violence between these two nations in 13 years. The current tensions escalated following the death of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish in late May.
Troops on both sides have been reinforced as the diplomatic crisis deepens, pushing Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the edge. The humanitarian toll is growing; volunteers are actively providing supplies to those evacuated from border areas affected by the conflict.
The situation remains dire, with Thai officials reporting the deaths of seven soldiers and 13 civilians, while Cambodia has confirmed the loss of five soldiers and eight civilians according to Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. Trump tweeted, “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am trying to simplify a complex situation!” He followed up minutes later, saying, “I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate ceasefire, and peace.” He concluded with optimism, stating, “After speaking to both parties, ceasefire, peace, and prosperity seems to be a natural.”
Neither the Thai nor Cambodian embassies in Washington responded immediately to requests for comment regarding this escalating situation.
In Thailand’s Sisaket province, a university campus has been transformed into temporary accommodation for evacuees, with volunteers indicating that over 5,000 people are currently sheltered there. Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs the ASEAN regional bloc, has committed to promoting a ceasefire proposal. It’s noteworthy that both Cambodia supports Anwar’s plan, while Thailand has agreed to it in principle. “There is still some exchange of fire,” he remarked, indicating the urgency of the situation according to state news agency Bernama. Anwar has instructed his foreign minister to coordinate with the relevant ministries, stating, “If possible, I will continue engaging with them myself—to at least halt the fighting.”
At a recent UN Security Council meeting, Thailand’s ambassador recounted incidents where soldiers were injured by newly laid landmines in Thai territory—claims strongly denied by Cambodia. The ambassador urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression” and to re-engage in meaningful dialogue. Conversely, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thailand of initiating “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack,” arguing that the mobilization of troops indicates Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression.
The ongoing disputes between Thailand and Cambodia highlight a long history of territorial disagreements over various undemarcated sections along their 817 km (508 miles) border. Central to this tension are the the ancient Hindu temples of Ta Moan Thom and the Preah Vihear, which was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. However, the situation grew more complicated in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to several years of skirmishes resulting in at least a dozen fatalities.
In June, Cambodia announced that it had asked the court to mediate its disputes with Thailand, which disputes the court’s jurisdiction and prefers to handle the matter bilaterally. As these nations navigate these challenges, the path to peace appears essential yet fraught with complexities.
