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Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border has reportedly persisted despite United States President Donald Trump’s claim that Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to renew a truce.
Cambodia says Thai forces, including fighter jets, continue to strike targets across their disputed border in the hours after ‍Trump posted on social media that both parties have agreed to a ceasefire.
“Thai forces have not stopped the bombing yet and are still continuing the bombing,” the Cambodian Ministry of Information said on Saturday.
Thailand’s military countered ⁠with accusations that Cambodia was committing “repeated violations of international rules” by targeting civilian locations and laying landmines.
Trump announced the agreement to restart the ceasefire on Friday following calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Despite recent discussions, neither leader mentioned reaching an agreement in their post-call statements, and Anutin confirmed that no ceasefire had been established. When questioned about Trump’s assertion, Thailand’s foreign ministry directed reporters to his statement for clarification.

Thai and Cambodian troops clahes over the border dispute

A Thai soldier was seen patrolling on a motorbike alongside a convoy of armored military vehicles near the conflict zone in the Kab Choeng district of Surin province, Thailand. Source: EPA / Rungroj Yongrit

On Saturday, a statement shared on Facebook by Manet highlighted his call with Trump and a previous discussion with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim. Manet emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to pursuing peaceful resolutions to disputes, in accordance with an agreement made earlier in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in October.

The roots of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict lie in a history of enmity over competing territorial claims. These claims largely stem from a 1907 map created while Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand maintains is inaccurate.
Tensions were exacerbated by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded sovereignty to Cambodia, which still riles many Thais.
Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets. Cambodia has deployed BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40km.

Since Monday, Cambodia and Thailand have been exchanging rocket and artillery fire along various points of their contested 817-kilometer border. This marks some of the most intense combat since the five-day confrontation in July, which was interrupted by Trump’s outreach to both nations’ leaders.

Trump has repeatedly made the exaggerated claim that he has helped solve eight conflicts, including the one between Thailand and Cambodia, since returning to office in January, as evidence of his negotiating prowess. And he’s not been shy about his desire to be recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize.
In an exchange with reporters on Wednesday, he expressed confidence that he could get the two sides back to a truce.
“Every once in a while,” Trump said, “one will flame up again and I have to put out that little flame”.
— Reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters via the Australian Associated Press
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