Phnom Penh, Cambodia / Bangkok, Thailand
–
Cambodia and Thailand traded fires across the conflict border on Sunday on the fourth day. Hours after President Donald Trump announced that two Southeast Asian countries agreed to a ceasefire talk and that continued fighting threatened to endanger trade deals with Washington.
At least 32 people have been killed and more than 200,000 have been evacuated since Thursday, Thai and Cambodian officials say. In a disgusting clash despite calls from the UN, the US and China to stop calls.
Both sides accused others of starting the latest border flare-up and exchanged responsibility for the ongoing battle.
Hours after Trump’s announcement, Thai government on Sunday said it was “not ready” to halt military operations, accusing Cambodia of continuing to fire heavy artillery at its border and civilian areas of Surin Province, in the border and several other regions.
While Cambodia has “recurringly violated the fundamental principles of human rights and humanitarian law,” it “cannot reach a halt of hostility,” Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Trump said he warned Thai and Cambodia leaders that they would not trade with either country if a fatal border dispute continues.
Thai acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said on Sunday that his country was “thanks” for Trump’s “concerns” while third countries didn’t want mediation.
“We proposed a bilateral relationship between the foreign ministers and concluded the conditions for a ceasefire and a pullback.
A spokesman for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense told reporters.
According to Lieutenant General Marie Sochieta, some of the projectiles landed near the ancient Plihaa temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a northern Cambodia province of the same name. The temple complex was at the heart of previous clashes between the two countries.
Cambodia accused Thailand of saying it was a “intentional and planned attack.”
These actions occurred despite efforts that have been publicly and explicitly supported by Cambodia’s Kingdom Prime Minister Hun Mane despite President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to seek a ceasefire,” said Lt. Gen. Marie Sochita.
“Our troops are still actively and aggressively returning and are not afraid to protect the territory,” said Marie Sochita.
Thailand’s national national broadcasting service (NBT) reported that Cambodian troops fired cannons in Surin province, on the Thai border, west of Plier Bihaa, and damaged the home. The Thai army reported that it was responding.
Thailand said on Sunday that 19 people have been killed since the hostilities began, mostly civilians. More than 138,000 have evacuated from six states and are staying in government shelters, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Cambodia said on Saturday that 13 people have been killed and 50 injured in Odal Jeansi province, which crosses the border with Thailand’s Surin. At least 80,000 Cambodia have been forced into combat, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Strongman and the communication billionaire
Thailand and Cambodia relations had been approaching earlier. This is partly thanks to the relationship between two former leaders, Cambodia’s Strongman Hun Sen, and Thai communications billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Sinawatra.
Neither person has been appointed, but both have a great influence in their respective countries.
Recent Tensions at the border have been simmering ever since the clash occurred in May when Cambodian soldiers were killed. Relations worsened after the release of leaked calls between Thai Prime Minister Paetong Tarun Sinawatra (Taksin’s daughter) and Cambodia’s Hun Sen.
In the call, Paetongtan could be heard calling Hun Sen “uncle” and appeared to criticize the actions of her own military in the border conflict.
Paetongtarn’s comments were nervous in Thailand, with opponents accusing her of compromising the country’s national interests. She defended her actions, but could later be suspended by the Constitutional Court awaiting an ethical review and face dismissal.
Hun Sen later posted Scathing’s comments on Thaksin on Facebook, accusing him of “relying on war, the ultimate outcome of which will be the suffering of people.”
In a post from X, Thaksin accused Hun Sen of ordering Cambodian troops to fire on Thai territory.
President Trump said he spoke on Saturday with both Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Mane and Thai Prime Minister in his efforts to restore peace.
“They agreed to meet soon, and quickly agreed to settle a ceasefire and, ultimately, peace!” Trump wrote about the true society in a series of posts outlined his diplomatic efforts, but did not provide details about the negotiations.
“They also want to go back to the ‘trading table’ with the US. I think this is inappropriate until the battle stops,” Trump wrote.
Earlier this month, Trump wrote to Thailand and Cambodia, threatening tariffs of 36% on most of its exports to the US from August 1st.
Earlier local time on Sunday morning, Hun Mane thanked Trump and said that Cambodia had agreed to a “proposed for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two troops.” He added that he previously agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
A statement from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been further measured and said he would like to see “honest intentions from Cambodia,” but Phumsam has asked him to “communicate with President Trump.”
Since colonial power France painted borders between them over a century ago, Bangkok and Phnom Penh have fought over contested territory. The new deadly conflict is a longtime ally of a US alliance with decades of experience against Cambodia’s relatively young military forces, and has close ties with China.
The UN has condemned violence, and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and address the issues through dialogue.”
