Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to military action along its disputed border with Cambodia on Saturday, despite a previous call for a ceasefire from US President Donald Trump. The announcement came just hours after Trump stated he had facilitated an agreement to halt hostilities between the two countries, which have been embroiled in conflict for decades.
In a post on social media, Anutin declared that Thailand would “continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.” This statement underscores Thailand’s determination to respond to what it perceives as ongoing threats, particularly after recent heavy fighting that has escalated since Monday.
The White House has not provided immediate commentary on the situation following Trump’s call for peace. Anutin’s remarks indicate a stark divergence from Trump’s assertion of a ceasefire, as neither leader confirmed an agreement during their discussions. Anutin explicitly stated, “I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke.”
Escalation of Conflict
The recent clashes have involved heavy artillery fire across multiple points along the 817 km (508-mile) border, marking some of the most intense fighting since July. In that month, fighting had escalated to alarming levels, leading Trump to intervene and encourage both nations to agree to a cessation of hostilities.
In response to the latest violence, Thailand’s Defence Ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, reported that Cambodian forces had fired heavy weapons, prompting Thailand to retaliate. He noted that conflicts occurred in seven border provinces, highlighting the scale of military engagement.
Conversely, Cambodia’s Information Ministry accused Thai forces of launching attacks on bridges and buildings overnight, including artillery fire from naval vessels. The Cambodian government maintains that it continues to pursue a peaceful resolution in accordance with the previous October agreement, which aimed to address the longstanding tensions between the two nations.
Controversies and Allegations
Tensions have been exacerbated by allegations regarding landmines. Thailand claims that Cambodia has recently laid new mines along the border, which has contributed to rising hostilities. Anutin dismissed Trump’s characterization of a recent incident involving a “roadside bomb” that injured Thai soldiers, asserting that it was “definitely not a roadside accident.”
On the diplomatic front, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has sought assistance from both the US and Malaysia, which has acted as a mediator in past peace talks. He requested that these nations use their intelligence-gathering capabilities to determine which side initiated the latest round of hostilities.
As fighting continues, the situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability and international diplomatic efforts. Both nations seem entrenched in their positions, complicating the prospect of a lasting resolution.
