US President Donald Trump has announced that both Thailand and Cambodia are ready to end their violent border conflict. Speaking from Turnberry, Scotland, Trump said his intervention prompted a shift toward peace.
He said, “I spoke to both of the prime ministers, and I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now.”
The fighting, which entered its fourth day, has left at least 35 people dead and forced more than 218,000 people to flee on both sides of the border. The confrontation began with a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers and snowballed into artillery duels, rocket strikes, and cross-border incursions.
A special emergency meeting has been scheduled for Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Prime Minister Hun Manet have confirmed their participation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who holds the rotating ASEAN chair, is hosting the talks.
Trump seeks peace through trade leverage
The turning point may have been Trump’s involvement. On Saturday, in a post on Truth Social, he said he made clear to both governments that the United States would break off ongoing trade talks if both sides did not halt hostilities.
Shortly afterwards, Cambodia announced its willingness to cease fire unconditionally and immediately. Trump personally told Hun Manet that Thailand was allowed to halt all attacks after talking to Phumtham, Hun Manet said.
Thailand partially confirmed the ceasefire, with its foreign ministry stating that it had accepted it “in principle.” However, Thai officials emphasized that lasting peace would only be possible if Cambodia demonstrated what they described as “genuine sincerity” in its intentions.
The US State Department was committed to promoting future dialogue to support global peace and long-term stability. Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce made the remarks while affirming Washington’s support for diplomatic efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also reported to have spoken directly with the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, urging them to de-escalate tensions and agree to an immediate ceasefire.
It is one of the most potent examples of US diplomatic muscle flexing in the region since the Obama-era pivot to Asia.
Thai and Cambodian forces clash amid mass evacuations
Fighting raged on Sunday despite the flurry of diplomatic activity. Each side blamed the other for fresh shelling, for violations of territorial integrity, and intentional targeting of civilian areas.
Thai army authorities said Cambodian troops fired artillery shells into Surin province, hitting homes and trying to retake territory near the contested Ta Muen Thom temple. Thai soldiers returned with longer-range counterfire.
Cambodian attacks have been sporadic and may constitute violations of the rules of engagement, according to the Thai army—the military plans to establish monitoring teams to protect civilians until formal peace talks begin.
In the meantime, a Thai military report issued Sunday evening indicated that Cambodia might be poised to engage in a large operation before coming to the table — a common strategy before negotiations to gain leverage.
Cambodia rejected these claims. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, a spokeswoman for the Cambodian Defense Ministry, said Thailand had begun a “large-scale incursion” that included using tanks and infantry. The Thai bombardment dashes peace initiatives and shows they want to intensify, not solve, the crisis.
Thailand reported one new death among soldiers on Sunday, for a total of 22. Most victims are civilians. Cambodia’s official death toll jumped to 13, but it is uncertain whether that includes Lt. Gen. Duong Samnieng, whose combat death was also made public the same day.
Mass evacuations are ongoing. More than 139,000 people have fled Thai villages along the border, and more than 79,000 have left three Cambodian provinces. Whole towns have become vacant and schools and hospitals abandoned, as the military takes over once-bustling towns.
