After a week of intense border violence that claimed at least 20 lives and displaced nearly 500,000 people, US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to immediately renew their ceasefire, bringing a temporary halt to the fighting along their volatile border.
Trump credited his personal diplomatic intervention, along with the assistance of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for the renewed agreement between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he held a “very good” conversation with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, following which both leaders agreed to cease all firing with immediate effect.
“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord,” Trump wrote, referring to the ceasefire agreement signed in October in Kuala Lumpur, with himself and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acting as witnesses.
Trump described the latest flare-up as a “very unfortunate reawakening” of a long-standing conflict and said both leaders were committed to restoring peace and stability in the region.
“The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly,” Trump stated, adding that both countries are now ready to pursue peace and continue trade relations with the United States.
He also hailed the agreement as a significant diplomatic achievement, saying it helped prevent what could have escalated into a major war between two otherwise prosperous and friendly nations.
“I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter,” Trump added.
What Triggered the Latest Violence
The renewed clashes began earlier this week after Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military positions on Monday morning, following a deadly artillery exchange along the disputed border region.
According to reports by the Bangkok Post, Cambodian forces fired shells and rockets at Thai military and civilian areas around 7 am in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen district. The shelling killed one Thai soldier and injured four others.
The Royal Thai Army said Thai troops initially returned fire before deploying fighter jets to strike Cambodian targets in an effort to halt further attacks.
Major General Winthai Suvaree confirmed that the airstrikes were carried out in response to continued shelling and rocket fire from across the border.
The clashes marked one of the most serious escalations between Thailand and Cambodia in recent years, reviving tensions in a region that has witnessed intermittent conflict despite previous peace agreements.