Clashes have continued across the Thai and Cambodian border, despite US President Donald Trump’s claims that both countries had agreed to renew a ceasefire.
Both Thai and Cambodian officials have suggested there is still more work to be done before the ceasefire can be re-established.
On Friday evening, Donald Trump posted to his social media platform Truth Social, making the announcement.
“I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War.
“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.”
“Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America.
“It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries!”
On Saturday morning, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul appeared to distance himself from this statement, saying Thailand won’t back down until it no longer feels aggression from Cambodia.
“Thailand will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people. I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke.”
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Saturday that some of Trump’s remarks didn’t “reflect an accurate understanding of the situation.”
“We regret and we’re disappointed that some of the points made by President Trump have bearing upon the feeling of the Thai people, Thailand, because we consider ourselves — we are proud, in fact — to be the oldest treaty ally of the United States in the region,” he said.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote a social media post, praising both Donald Trump and Malaysia’s Prime Minister for their involvement, but stopped short of saying a ceasefire had been agreed.
“I thanked both His Excellency for their continuous efforts towards achieving long-term peace between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Cambodia has always maintained its stance in seeking peaceful resolution of disputes, in line with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.”
Cambodia’s defence ministry reported that Thailand continued to carry out strikes early on Saturday.
The latest large-scale fighting was set off by a skirmish on December 7th that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed the original ceasefire promoted by Trump in July, after five days of combat over longstanding territorial disputes.
The July ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Trump, who threatened to withhold negotiations over trade tariffs unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed.
Despite the deal, the two countries carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor cross-border violence continued.
About two dozen people have officially been reported killed in this past week’s fighting, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border.
The Thai military acknowledges 11 of its troops have been killed, while estimating there have been 165 fatalities among Cambodian soldiers. Cambodia has not announced military casualties, but has said at least 11 civilians have been killed and 76 wounded.
The roots of the conflict date back over a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn following the French occupation of Cambodia
This is not a recent dispute. The argument between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn up following the French occupation of Cambodia.
Both countries claim certain areas, particularly the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Hostilities escalated in 2008, when Cambodia tried to register the temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site, which was met with heated protest from Thailand.
Over the years, there have been sporadic clashes, with soldiers and civilians killed on both sides.
The crumbling of the July ceasefire, and failure to completely renew it is another blow for Trump, who has repeatedly made the exaggerated claim that he has helped solve eight conflicts since his return to Office.
It is well known that he desires to be viewed as a powerful negotiator and recognised with the Nobel Peace Prize.
In an exchange with reporters later Friday, Trump credited his administration with doing a “very good job” with its push to stem the renewed fighting.
“And we got it, I think, straightened out today,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “So Thailand and Cambodia is in good shape.”
Another ceasefire that Trump takes credit for establishing, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, is also under strain, just after the leaders of the African nations travelled to Washington to sign a peace deal.
And Trump’s internationally endorsed plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is still not finalised and in limbo, with sporadic fighting continuing while a critical second phase remains a work in progress.
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