Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to ceasefire negotiations after an intervention by US President Donald Trump, who threatened to suspend trade agreements with both nations. Dead clashes at the borders, however, have not ceased. At least 34 have been killed, and more than 168,000 have been displaced.
The violence has continued despite diplomatic overtures. Both sides blame each other for human rights abuses and the continued escalation of hostilities. The American intervention has put pressure on it, but there is no visible progress on the ground.
Trump Pressures Talks As Fighting Escalates
Trump shared on Truth Social that he had called the two leaders. He cautioned them against persisting in the fight or risking losing American trade support. After making his call, Cambodian PM Hun Manet announced an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” Acting Thai PM Phumtham Wechayachai also consented in principle but required Cambodia to demonstrate true intent.
Cambodia’s Hun Manet also assigned his foreign minister to coordinate further action with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Thailand, on the other hand, requested bilateral talks but was not confident of Cambodia’s good faith.
Border Shelling Kills Dozens Despite ‘Ceasefire’
The fighting started on Thursday when a landmine injured five Thai soldiers. There was soon intense violence. Thailand shut border checkpoints and recalled its ambassador. Both sides exchanged artillery fire and blamed each other for shelling civilians.
On Sunday, hostilities renewed. Cambodian shells hit houses in Thailand’s Surin province. Rocket fire struck the contested Ta Muen Thom temple. Thailand retaliated with heavy artillery.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry denounced the ceasefire as useless unless Cambodia cooperated. “Doctors and civilians are dying,” it said, accusing Cambodia of flouting humanitarian law. Cambodian defence spokesmen reported that Thailand had made tank-supported incursions.
US Leverage Meets Regional Reality
Trump’s intervention pushed the two countries to the negotiating table. But in the field, things remain the same. Thai army commanders stated that combat operations will go on unless Cambodia officially begins negotiations. “Trump’s diplomacy is a different issue,” explained Thai Col. Richa Suksawanont.
The UN Security Council called upon ASEAN to broker. The use of prohibited cluster bombs close to civilians was condemned by Human Rights Watch. Local leaders, however, call for immediate assistance. An evacuee in Surin stated, “I left everything behind to save my family.” Villages are still deserted. More than 131,000 Thais and 37,000 Cambodians have fled.
US Election Politics Could Shape Asia’s Conflict Zones
Trump’s crusade for peace is more likely to be about Washington than Southeast Asia. Trump’s government is eager to preclude global turmoil in the run-up to the 2026 election cycle. By intervening, Trump projects US power — but the continued shelling makes clear its limits. ASEAN must now learn to take the reins of its wars.
Trump’s intervention got Thailand and Cambodia to negotiate, but it has not ended the conflict. With lives lost and thousands displaced, the area requires more than pressure. It requires genuine diplomacy, trust, and accountability — and for the moment, these are thin on the ground.
