Thailand Rejects Ceasefire, Continues Border Clashes with Cambodia

Tensions escalated on Saturday along the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia, as Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the continuation of military operations. This declaration came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he had facilitated a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Despite Trump’s assertion, Anutin made it clear that Thailand would not cease its military actions until there was no longer any perceived threat to its territory and citizens.

In a social media post, Anutin emphasized Thailand’s stance, stating, “We will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.” The contradiction between Anutin’s comments and Trump’s claims raised questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

Following a conversation with both Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Trump claimed that an agreement had been reached to “cease all shooting.” However, neither leader confirmed any such agreement in their subsequent statements. Anutin reiterated that there was no ceasefire, saying, “Our actions this morning already spoke.”

Heavy artillery exchanges have intensified along the 817 km (508 miles) border, marking one of the most violent escalations since the five-day conflict in July. That confrontation had also drawn Trump’s intervention, which had halted the fighting at that time. The recent hostilities were reignited on Monday, following the injury of a Thai soldier due to a landmine, which Thailand alleges was newly laid by Cambodia. In response, Cambodia has rejected these allegations.

On Saturday, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for Thailand’s Defence Ministry, reported that clashes occurred across seven border provinces. He stated that Cambodia had used heavy weaponry, necessitating Thailand’s retaliatory actions. In a related statement, Cambodia’s Information Ministry accused Thai forces of targeting infrastructure, including bridges and buildings, and of employing artillery from naval vessels.

In light of the ongoing violence, Hun Manet expressed a commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution, referencing the October agreement that aimed to address the longstanding border dispute. He has called upon the United States and Malaysia, both of whom have played mediating roles in peace talks, to utilize their intelligence capabilities to ascertain which side initiated the latest round of hostilities.

As the situation continues to unfold, the potential for further escalation remains a pressing concern for both nations and the international community. The lack of consensus on the status of the ceasefire, coupled with the ongoing military engagements, underscores the fragility of peace efforts in the region. The White House has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the ongoing clashes and the apparent breakdown of negotiations.