WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly clashes threatened to unravel a truce earlier brokered with support from the United States.
Trump announced the agreement in a social media post after separate calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. He said both sides agreed to halt all shooting effective that evening and return to the original peace accord reached with his involvement and with the help of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
There was no immediate official comment from Thailand or Cambodia following the announcement. Earlier, Anutin said that during his conversation with Trump he reiterated Thailand’s position that fighting would continue until Cambodia no longer poses a threat to Thai sovereignty.
Trump credited Ibrahim with playing a key role in persuading both sides to again commit to a ceasefire, calling the effort an important step in preventing a wider conflict.
The original ceasefire reached in July was mediated by Malaysia and reinforced by pressure from Trump, who warned of possible trade consequences if the two countries failed to agree. The arrangement was later formalized in October during a regional meeting in Malaysia attended by Trump.
Despite the agreement, tensions persisted, marked by a propaganda battle and intermittent cross border violence. The dispute stems from long standing territorial claims linked to a 1907 map produced during Cambodia’s period under French colonial rule, which Thailand disputes. Friction intensified after a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarded sovereignty over the contested area to Cambodia.
Thailand has deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodia has used BM-21 rocket launchers with a reported range of 30 to 40 kilometers. Data from public broadcaster ThaiPBS showed that at least six Thai soldiers killed in the clashes were struck by rocket shrapnel.
The Thai army said residential areas near the border were damaged by rocket fire from Cambodian forces. It also reported destroying a tall crane on a hilltop at the site of the Preah Vihear temple, alleging it was used for military command and control.
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for helping resolve several international conflicts since returning to office in January, including the Thailand Cambodia dispute. He has said he remains confident in his ability to restore ceasefires when violence flares.
Other ceasefires Trump has cited as successes remain under strain, including an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Meanwhile, his proposed framework to end the Israel Hamas war in Gaza has yet to be finalized, with sporadic fighting continuing as negotiations remain ongoing.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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