Trump Claims Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire After Intense Border Clashes

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to “cease all shooting” effective Friday evening, following direct calls with the leaders of both countries, as he sought to revive a fragile ceasefire amid escalating border violence. The announcement came after five consecutive days of heavy fighting along the two Southeast Asian neighbors’ long-disputed border.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said he had spoken with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet about what he described as the “very unfortunate reawakening” of their long-running conflict. According to Trump, both leaders agreed to immediately halt hostilities and return to the original peace accord, adding that both nations were ready for peace and continued trade with the United States.

The fighting, which erupted earlier this week, involved rockets, artillery, and machine-gun fire across multiple flashpoints along the 817-kilometer border. It marked some of the heaviest clashes since a deadly five-day conflict in July, which Trump previously claimed to have helped end through diplomatic intervention. Since Monday, at least 20 people have been killed and more than 260 wounded, with hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides.

Despite Trump’s confident tone, responses from regional leaders were more cautious. Thai Prime Minister Anutin confirmed that his call with Trump “went well” but stopped short of acknowledging a ceasefire agreement. He said Thailand was acting defensively and urged Cambodia to withdraw troops and remove landmines, which Bangkok alleges were recently planted. Cambodia has denied those accusations.

Fighting reportedly continued on Friday, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of shelling near ancient temples and moving armored vehicles into contested areas. Thailand’s military, in turn, said it was exercising its right to self-defense to protect sovereignty and civilian lives.

Trump has repeatedly portrayed himself as a global peacemaker and said he was confident the truce could be restored, as it was earlier this year. However, it remains unclear whether the claimed ceasefire will hold, as both sides continue to trade accusations and express skepticism over mediation efforts.