Bangkok: Violent clashes along the Thailand–Cambodia border have entered their fourth consecutive day, defying international calls for restraint and a ceasefire agreement announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The ongoing hostilities have already resulted in over 30 confirmed deaths and have displaced more than 130,000 civilians, with the humanitarian toll growing by the hour.
The conflict, centered near long-disputed areas surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples, reignited on July 24 following rising political tensions and a rapid military build-up on both sides. Artillery shelling, rocket fire, and aerial bombings have turned border villages into active warzones. Thai military officials reported casualties on their side, including at least seven soldiers and 13 civilians, while Cambodian sources confirmed the deaths of five soldiers and eight civilians. Dozens more have been wounded.
Despite the outbreak of violence, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed over the weekend to have brokered a tentative ceasefire agreement between the two nations. He warned both Thai and Cambodian leaders that trade relations with the United States would be suspended unless hostilities ceased immediately. “I won’t do trade until the war stops,” Trump stated, drawing parallels with past South Asian conflicts such as India–Pakistan standoffs. However, his statements have yet to translate into a lasting halt to the fighting, as shelling continued unabated through Sunday.
Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged the ceasefire proposal “in principle” but emphasized that trust-building measures from Cambodia would be necessary before any meaningful progress could be achieved. Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thailand of launching pre-emptive strikes and claimed the attacks were unprovoked, prompting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to appeal to the United Nations Security Council for intervention.
The fighting has caused severe damage to border communities on both sides, including schools, petrol stations, and health centers. Landmines laid near the frontier have reportedly injured Thai soldiers, exacerbating fears of a prolonged ground conflict. Over 130,000 civilians have been displaced so far, with many forced to take shelter in overcrowded camps in Thailand’s Sisaket and Surin provinces, and in Cambodia’s Pursat and Oddar Meanchey regions.
In a move reflecting the escalating diplomatic fallout, Thailand has expelled Cambodia’s ambassador, closed all border crossings, and recalled its envoy from Phnom Penh. Cambodia had earlier imposed a ban on Thai media, internet access, and imports, reflecting the deepening rift between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), currently chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has offered to mediate a ceasefire and long-term resolution. Cambodia has welcomed the regional approach, while Thailand has insisted on resolving the matter bilaterally highlighting the differing visions for de-escalation.
As the border remains a battlefield, fears are growing that continued clashes could lead to broader regional instability. Aid agencies are calling for urgent humanitarian access to displaced civilians, while the international community closely watches whether diplomatic interventions will succeed in halting one of the most dangerous flare-ups in the region in over a decade.