Bangkok: President Donald Trump said he is prepared to call the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to help stop the heavy fighting along their shared border, as clashes continue to grow and force more families from their homes.
The conflict, which has now spread across several border districts, has led to airstrikes, artillery fire and the use of drones and heavy weapons. Both sides accuse each other of targeting civilian areas. Local authorities say hundreds of thousands of people have already been evacuated since the latest wave of violence began earlier this week.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was ready to reach out directly to both governments in an effort to calm the situation. He said a phone call could help restore peace after the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that he had earlier supported. That ceasefire, signed in late October, had called for troop pullbacks and the removal of heavy weapons along the frontier, but it fell apart after new clashes and landmine explosions.
Cambodia has said it is willing to hold talks at any time to end the conflict. But Thailand has signaled it does not want outside mediation at this stage and insists that conditions are not suitable for third party involvement.
The fighting has disrupted daily life across the region. Families from border villages have fled to temporary shelters and several schools and health centers have closed. The unrest has also affected regional events. Cambodia withdrew its athletes from the Southeast Asian Games taking place in Thailand, saying it could not guarantee their safety.
The long running border dispute, tied to historical claims and contested temple areas, remains at the center of the tension. Despite multiple peace efforts over the years, a lasting agreement has not yet been reached.
As the situation continues to escalate, international observers warn that the humanitarian crisis could worsen unless both nations agree to fresh talks and commit to halting military action.