Thailand denies Trump's ceasefire claim as border clashes continue.
Confusion and violence continue to grip Southeast Asia as the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalates, directly contradicting recent assertions made by the White House. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming on Friday that he had successfully brokered a halt to the hostilities, officials in Bangkok have rejected the narrative, confirming that military operations are still active.
Trump's Declaration vs. Ground Reality
On Friday, President Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to announce a breakthrough. Following telephonic conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Trump declared that both nations had agreed to "CEASE all shooting" and return to a previous peace framework. He also credited Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for assisting in the mediation.
However, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly pushed back against the American President's claims. Thai Prime Minister Anutin was particularly vocal, utilizing Facebook to clarify his country’s stance. He stated unequivocally that Thailand would not cease military action until the threat to its sovereignty and citizens was completely neutralized. "Our actions this morning already spoke," Anutin remarked, signaling that the fighting is far from over.
Diplomatic Friction
Tensions between Washington and Bangkok have also surfaced regarding the nature of the conflict. Anutin expressed strong disapproval of Trump referring to a recent land mine explosion—which injured Thai troops—as an "accident." The Thai leader insisted this was a deliberate act of aggression, not a roadside mishap. Furthermore, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow suggested that the US President might be operating on "distorted information," emphasizing that Thailand remains America's oldest treaty ally in the region and deserves an accurate representation of the facts.
Ongoing Violence and Casualties
While Cambodia expressed gratitude for the diplomatic efforts, Prime Minister Hun Manet stopped short of confirming that a ceasefire was actually in place. Instead, the Cambodian Defense Ministry highlighted fresh aggression, accusing Thailand of deploying F-16 fighter jets to drop bombs on Cambodian soil as recently as Saturday.
The humanitarian cost of the Thailand-Cambodia conflict is rising steeply. The violence, which reignited after a skirmish on December 7, has resulted in the displacement of over half a million people. Thailand has confirmed the loss of 15 soldiers, while estimating that over 160 Cambodian troops have been killed. Conversely, Cambodia reports civilian casualties and widespread damage from rocket fire. Despite previous mediation attempts by Malaysia and threats of trade sanctions from the US, peace remains elusive in the region.
