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Cambodia calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ with Thailand as deadly clashes enter a third day Trump says Cambodia and Thailand agree to ‘immediate’ ceasefire talks
(about 16 hours later)
Thousands of people have been evacuated from either side of the border, while fighting has left at least 32 people dead US president warns he will not negotiate trade deal with either side until clashes, which have killed at least 23, stop
Cambodia wants an “immediate ceasefire” with Thailand, the country’s envoy to the United Nations has said, as fighting that has left 32 people dead continued for its third consecutive day Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to “immediately meet” to work out a ceasefire, according to Donald Trump, who spoke to the leaders of both countries as he sought an end to clashes that continued for a third consecutive day.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes, which are the bloodiest in more than a decade, and have claimed 19 lives in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia. In social media posts, Trump said: “Both parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace”, adding he would not negotiate a trade deal with either side until the fighting stopped.
Cambodia’s UN ambassador made the ceasefire call after an emergency meeting held behind closed doors late on Friday in New York. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the UN urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith”. More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the clashes, which are the bloodiest between the neighbouring countries in more than a decade, and have claimed at least 10 lives in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia.
A long-running border dispute between the two countries erupted into intense fighting on Thursday, with heavy artillery and airstrikes, prompting the UN Secretary-General to call for the “utmost restraint”. Malaysia, which chairs the regional bloc that includes both countries, called for either side to stand down and offered to mediate. The US and China have also expressed concern over the developments. Clashes spread along the border on Saturday, breaking out for the first time in the Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat province, more than 100km (60 miles) from other conflict areas along the contested border.
“Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo said after the UN meeting. Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday: “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am trying to simplify a complex situation!”
On Saturday morning, the Cambodian ministry of national defence accused Thailand of firing five heavy artillery shells into multiple locations in Pursat Province, on the southern side of their shared border, saying it condemned such “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression”. Minutes later, he posted: “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. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia.”
Thailand accused Cambodia of initiating an attack in neighbouring Trat province, and said that Thai naval forces had successfully pushed back “the incursion” by 05.40am. Trump added in a subsequent post that both sides had agreed to “immediately meet” to work out a ceasefire.
Cambodia and Thailand’s border dispute dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps. Tensions have been running high since May, when a Cambodian solider was killed a brief exchange of fire, but escalated further this week when Thai solders were injured by landmines, which Thai officials claimed had been freshly planted – an allegation Cambodia has denied. “They are also looking to get back to the ‘Trading Table’ with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,” he said. Both Cambodia and Thailand are facing the prospect of a 36% US tariff from 1 August.
International calls for a ceasefire have been growing since a long-running border dispute between the two countries erupted into intense fighting on Thursday, with heavy artillery and airstrikes. The UN secretary general called for the “utmost restraint”, while Malaysia, which chairs the regional bloc that includes both countries, urged both sides to stand down and offered to mediate. China has also expressed concern over the developments.
Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo said on Friday that Cambodia asked for an “immediate ceasefire – unconditionally”, following an emergency meeting held behind closed doors late on Friday in New York. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the UN urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith”.
On Saturday morning, the Cambodian ministry of national defence accused Thailand of firing five heavy artillery shells into multiple locations in Pursat province, on the southern side of their shared border, saying it condemned such “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression”.
Thailand accused Cambodia of initiating an attack in neighbouring Trat province, and said that Thai naval forces had successfully pushed back “the incursion” by 5.40am.
Cambodia and Thailand’s border dispute dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps. Tensions have been running high since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of fire, but escalated further this week when Thai solders were injured by landmines, which Thai officials claimed had been freshly planted – an allegation Cambodia has denied.
Thailand responded by recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and saying it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, and, on Thursday morning fighting erupted at multiple points along the border. Both sides blamed each other for opening fire first, and have accused the other side of violating international norms.Thailand responded by recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and saying it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, and, on Thursday morning fighting erupted at multiple points along the border. Both sides blamed each other for opening fire first, and have accused the other side of violating international norms.
In Thailand 19 people have been killed, including 13 civilians and six soldiers, while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. In Cambodia, officials reported 12 further deaths, five soldiers and eight civilians, bringing its death toll to 13. In Thailand 20 people have been killed, including 13 civilians and seven soldiers, while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. In Cambodia, officials reported 12 further deaths, five soldiers and eight civilians, bringing its death toll to 13.
More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, with families sheltering at temples, schools and at municipality centres. Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border. More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, with families sheltering at temples, schools and municipality centres. Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border.
Thailand’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told AFP that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. Earlier, acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, “it could develop into war”.
“We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response,” Nikorndej told AFP, speaking before the UN meeting had been held.
Earlier, acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, “it could develop into war.”
“For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that Thailand was taking action to “protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation.”“For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that Thailand was taking action to “protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation.”
Both countries have traded blame over the clashes. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions.Both countries have traded blame over the clashes. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions.
Dozens of kilometres in several areas of the 800km border are contested. Fighting previously broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.Dozens of kilometres in several areas of the 800km border are contested. Fighting previously broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.
The latest dispute has been exacerbated by a feud that has broken out between the fathers of the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. Hun Sen, an authoritarian ruler who handed power to his son Hun Manet in 2023, and Thailand’s former populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister in 2024, both remain highly influential in their countries. They were once considered close friends but are now embroiled in a bitter dispute, trading insults, threats and counter claims on social media. The latest dispute has been exacerbated by a feud that has broken out between the fathers of the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. Hun Sen, an authoritarian ruler who handed power to his son, Hun Manet, in 2023, and Thailand’s former populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister in 2024, both remain highly influential in their countries. They were once considered close friends but are now embroiled in a bitter dispute, trading insults, threats and counter-claims on social media.
Thaksin visited Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, on Saturday morning, and denied the families’ feud was the cause of the clashes, according to local media reports. He condemned Cambodia’s actions as “appalling” and said attacks from the Thai side followed strict protocols and were targeted at military sites.Thaksin visited Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, on Saturday morning, and denied the families’ feud was the cause of the clashes, according to local media reports. He condemned Cambodia’s actions as “appalling” and said attacks from the Thai side followed strict protocols and were targeted at military sites.