The Quiet Miscalculation Behind Thailand’s Landmine Narrative

ថៃស្រវឹងសង្គ្រាម ធ្វើឱ្យសេដ្ឋកិច្ចដាំក្បាលធ្លាក់ចុះ [27-12-2025]

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire begins after weeks of deadly clashes

 

 

Image source, Reuters

Image caption,

Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit after the ceasefire was agreed during a special meeting at a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, Thailand

ByJonathan Head, South East Asia correspondent and Tabby Wilson

Published
27 December 2025

A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has come into effect along the border, where almost three weeks of deadly clashes have forced nearly one million people from their homes.

In a joint statement, the defence ministers of the two countries agreed to freeze the front lines where they are now, ban reinforcements and allow civilians living in border areas to return as soon as possible.

The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday. Once it has been in place for 72 hours, 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand since July will be released, the statement said.

The breakthrough came after days of talks between the two countries, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the US.

The agreement prioritises getting the displaced back to their homes, and also includes an agreement to remove landmines.

Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit described the ceasefire as a test for the "other party's sincerity".

"Should the ceasefire fail to materialise or be violated, Thailand retains its legitimate right to self-defence under international law," he told reporters.

Pope Leo XIV Urges Ceasefire in Cambodia–Thailand Conflict in First Christmas Message

 

 

Pope Leo XIV Urges Ceasefire in Cambodia–Thailand Conflict in First Christmas Message

 

 

— Pope Leo XIV has issued a forceful appeal for an immediate ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, as intensifying border clashes have displaced nearly 640,000 civilians and raised international alarm over civilian casualties and damage to cultural heritage sites.

 

Delivering his first Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, the pontiff lamented the spread of global conflicts, specifically naming Cambodia and Thailand among nations facing political, social and military violence. He urged reconciliation and called on the two neighbors to restore their “ancient friendship” through humility, responsibility and dialogue.

 

“Everyone can contribute to peace by acting with humility and responsibility,” Pope Leo XIV said, according to international media reports.

 

Cambodia has accused Thai forces of coordinated attacks on villages and historic temples, while Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has appealed directly to Washington for urgent support in securing a ceasefire.

 

The Ministry of National Defence reported continued shelling and air strikes between Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, hitting Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages as well as Ta Moun, Ta Krabei and Preah Vihear temples. Officials alleged the use of artillery, tanks, drones and toxic gas, though the claims could not be independently verified.

 

The Ministry of Interior said nearly 640,000 civilians have been displaced since early December, including more than 200,000 children and 330,000 women. At least 30 people have been killed and 87 injured as fighting persists.

---------------

By: In Sopheng

©KPT English

 

Poets' Circle ...

APSARA Authority Condemns Thai Aggression, Cites Civilian Deaths and Heritage Destruction

 

— Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA) has issued a petition strongly condemning what it called Thailand’s “brutal and inhumane war of aggression” against Cambodian sovereignty, citing civilian casualties and extensive damage to cultural heritage sites.

 

The statement accused Thai armed forces of launching indiscriminate attacks by land, sea and air between Dec. 7 and Dec. 25, including shelling and aerial bombardments that penetrated more than 90 kilometers inside Cambodian territory.

 

According to the Ministry of Interior, at least 30 civilians have been killed, 87 injured and more than 636,000 displaced during the clashes. APSARA said the violence has destroyed homes, schools, monasteries and infrastructure, while damaging or demolishing sacred sites including the UNESCO World Heritage Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Krabey Temple and Ta Moan Thom Temple.

 

The authority said the attacks violate the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed by the prime ministers of both countries in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ASEAN’s rotating chair.

 

APSARA called on the international community to condemn Thailand’s actions, hold it legally accountable and demand an immediate halt to hostilities. It urged Thailand to respect the ceasefire, honor international law and pursue peaceful dispute resolution.

 

The petition reaffirmed APSARA’s support for the Cambodian government’s efforts to resolve the border crisis through legal and diplomatic means to protect civilians and safeguard national sovereignty.

---------------

By: May Kunmakara

©KPT English

 

រូបថតដែលហាមឃាត់! ការពិតនៅពីក្រោយ "ការដកទ័ព" ដ៏អាម៉ាស់របស់ថៃ

Oddar Meanchey

Golden memories ...

  

The Thai Cambodia War Isn’t About Borders — It’s About China

ទំនាស់ផ្ទៃក្នុងក្តៅគគុកក្នុងរាជវាំងថៃ | Vajiralongkorn vs. Sirindhorn

Quote, unquote ...

 

Thailand says will not be 'pressured' into 'disadvantaged position' at ASEAN meeting on conflict with Cambodia

Khmer Circle: 

Just ask oneself : 'Who suffers more' in a fight between two protagonists of disproportionately unequal strength and the answer will confirm as to who wants and started the conflict.

^^^ 

'Thailand has consistently expressed its desire for lasting peace, and Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity in this matter,' Foreign Ministry says ahead of ASEAN meeting in Malaysia

 

Saadet Gokce  | 20.12.2025 - Update : 20.12.2025 

 

ISTANBUL

Thailand said on Saturday that Bangkok will not be "pressured or put at a disadvantage" during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Monday, which will discuss the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo said Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow would lead a delegation to Malaysia for the discussions, according to the local news website The Nation.

"Thailand’s stance remains clear: the country seeks peace and does not pose a threat or encroach upon the sovereignty of other nations. Thailand has consistently expressed its desire for lasting peace, and Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity in this matter," she said.

The Thai Army has also condemned Cambodia for its "use of violence against civilian targets," launching BM-21 rockets that hit homes and the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.

Meanwhile, Cambodia said Thailand bombed Cambodian territory with F-16s, according to the Khmer Times.

Thai jets also destroyed O’ Jik Bridge, located along the border between Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces, late Friday, it said, adding that on Saturday, civilian areas, including private commercial buildings and a primary school in Thmor Da district, Pursat province, were also targeted.

China's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, has also visited Phnom Penh to discuss efforts to de-escalate and bring an end to the ongoing conflict, a statement from the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

Why are Archaeologists Ignoring this?

US asks Thailand to take ‘concrete actions’ towards de-escalation with Cambodia

Khmer Circle: 

Does the US still believe Thailand is using US-made fighter jets for defensive purposes? The same question must apply to Sweden who sold military aircrafts to Thailand purportedly for the same reasons.

^^^ 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has phone call with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow

Anadolu staff  | 19.12.2025 - Update : 19.12.2025 

 

• Bangkok also confirms Cambodian forces shot down Thai reconnaissance drone
  
  ANKARA

The US has asked Thailand to take "concrete actions' toward de-escalation with Cambodia amid ongoing border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations.

In a Thursday phone call with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored Washington’s concerns about continued violence along the Cambodian border and emphasized the immediate need to reduce tensions, said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott in a statement.

Rubio also urged Sihasak to take concrete actions to de-escalate the situation and for Thailand to return to implementing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

Separately, Thailand on Friday confirmed that Cambodian forces shot down a Thai reconnaissance drone. Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Narkphanit called the loss "regrettable" but unavoidable in wartime, according to the Thai Enquirer.

He added that the downed drone was a DP-20 (D-Eyes 04) surveillance drone and acknowledged that Cambodia possesses air defense weapons capable of targeting such platforms.

Quote, unquote ...

 

 

សម្លេងកុមារកម្ពុជា

ថៃរងសម្ពាធពីបរទេសដូចទឹកបាក់ទំនប់ [19-12-2025]

ល្បិចពិសពុល ! ថៃជំរុញឲ្យកម្ពុជាឈប់បាញ់មុន បើខ្មែរយល់ព្រមមានរឿងអ្វីកើតឡើង?!

 

Khmer Circle: Usually a ceasefire agreement means and requires both sides to the conflict to cease fire at the same time? The Thais' logic never fails to amaze... 

A boy's hard saved money for the soldiers at the frontline

Opinion: In 1941, Thailand invaded Cambodia and later declared war on the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

By Casey Barnett, President of AmCham Cambodia

In 2025, Thai accusations that Cambodian soldiers fired across the border are again being used to justify an ongoing Thai invasion of Cambodia. Similar claims formed the basis of Thailand’s 1941 invasion of Cambodia. Then, as now, Thailand’s military action was intended to annex Cambodian territory.

Despite full knowledge of Japan’s genocidal conduct in China, including the 1937 Nanjing Massacre in which approximately 200,000 civilians and prisoners of war were killed, Thailand entered into a treaty with Japan on June 12, 1940.² This agreement laid the groundwork for Japan’s subsequent occupation of French Indochina and British Malaya. After ratifying the treaty, Thailand invaded Cambodia and Laos in January 1941, claiming that French colonial forces in Cambodia had fired across the border into the Thai town of Aranyaprathet. In reality, Thailand had been preparing for invasion for months.³ Within weeks, Thailand forcibly annexed northern Cambodian provinces and western Lao territories.⁴

In December 1941, Thailand and Japan concluded a further agreement providing for mutual military support, with Japan explicitly backing Thailand’s territorial claims covering annexed areas of Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, and Burma.⁵ This agreement secured Thailand’s role as a logistics hub and staging ground for Japan’s conquest of British Malaya and Burma between 1941 and 1942.⁶

In July 1943, Japan rewarded Thailand for its cooperation by transferring to it six provinces of British Malaya and Burma.⁷ During this period, Thailand facilitated and materially benefited from Japan’s use of forced labor to construct the Burma Railway, linking Bangkok to Yangon.⁸ Among the enslaved laborers were 30,131 British and 686 American prisoners of war. Of these, 6,904 British and 131 Americans died as a result of brutal working conditions.⁹

Following the Allied victory in World War II, Thailand was compelled to relinquish all territories it had annexed in Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, and Burma. Britain initially sought punitive measures, including extended occupation of Thailand and potential control over the Thai Isthmus.¹⁰ The United States, however, opposed harsh postwar treatment, arguing that severe demands would destabilize Thailand and the wider region.¹¹ As a result, Thailand faced limited accountability for its wartime territorial aggression.

Now, in 2025, with little apparent collective memory of the consequences of its earlier irredentist ambitions, Thailand is once again invading Cambodia.

ធាតុពិតនៃសង្គ្រាមឈ្លានពានរបស់ចោរសៀមលើកម្ពុជា

Golden memories ...

Cambodia Says It’s Ready as Thai Navy Eyes Gulf Supply Disruptions

 

 

This photo shows daily activities at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Preah Sihanouk province. Photo: Sihanoukville Autonomous Port/Facebook 

 

By:Meng Seavmey

December 15, 2025, 12:20 PM

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has sought to project confidence and preparedness after reports that the Thai Navy is considering measures that could disrupt fuel and strategic goods shipments to Cambodia through the Gulf of Thailand, a move analysts warn would raise serious legal and regional concerns.

According to a December 14 report by Khaosod, the Thai Navy said it would submit a proposal to Thailand’s National Security Council on December 15 that includes suspending fuel and strategic goods exports to Cambodia, intensifying monitoring of Cambodian commercial vessels, and designating waters near Cambodian ports as high-risk zones, citing alleged indiscriminate fire from Cambodia.

While the Navy reportedly insisted that the plan would not amount to a formal blockade of the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodian officials dismissed the proposal as ineffective and said alternative supply routes are already in place.

Phan Rim, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the country’s logistics networks would not be disrupted, stressing that contingency planning had been completed well in advance.

“Cambodia is not unprepared,” Rim said. “The government has already assessed multiple scenarios and put in place response mechanisms to ensure supply continuity in all circumstances.”

He added that Cambodia maintains a range of coordinated maritime and inland supply routes that comply with international law and safeguard the country’s economic independence.

“Cambodia has diversified waterway routes with sufficient capacity to guarantee sovereign control and operational continuity under international legal frameworks,” Rim said.

Sam Suen, a Phnom Penh-based policy analyst and researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the government’s early planning was critical to preventing supply shocks, particularly as fighting along the border shows no sign of easing.

He warned that the Thai proposal was likely to gain traction domestically, given the political and military dynamics in Bangkok.

“This scenario is plausible because the focus appears to be on coercive measures rather than diplomatic solutions,” Sam Suen said. “Thailand has increasingly sidelined peaceful international mechanisms, which raises the risk of prolonged disruption.”

He also stressed that any unilateral attempt to restrict access in the Gulf of Thailand would raise serious legal questions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“The Gulf is not an area that any single state can control at will,” he said. “Thailand must clearly distinguish between its territorial waters, Cambodia’s and Vietnam’s territorial seas, and international waters. Failure to do so would constitute a violation of UNCLOS.”

Sam Suen called on the international community to closely monitor any implementation of the proposal should it receive official approval, warning that unchecked actions could set a destabilizing precedent in regional waters.

He also urged Cambodia to formally notify the United Nations Security Council and to engage international maritime law experts to assess territorial boundaries and navigational rights in the affected areas.

“Legal clarity and international oversight are essential,” he said. “This is not only a bilateral issue but one that affects regional stability and freedom of navigation.”

 

 

 

Cambodia Advises Alternative Routes for European Travelers

 

 

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A321-251NX prepares to land on the runway on the inauguration day of the newly built Techo International Airport in Kandal province, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, on September 9, 2025. Photo by AFP

SIEM REAP – The Cambodian Embassy in France has advised European travelers heading to Cambodia to avoid transiting through Thailand, citing reports of tourists facing what it described as “thorough and unacceptable checks” at Bangkok airport.

In a statement circulated by Ambassador of Cambodia to France, the embassy said difficulties have been reported during air transits in Thailand, where European passengers bound for Cambodia were subjected to prolonged questioning before boarding, unreasonable requests for proof of financial resources and checks related to accommodation bookings in Cambodia.

In some cases, the embassy said, these checks were followed by searches and baggage handling incidents that resulted in the loss of checked luggage, which was only discovered upon arrival in Phnom Penh.

As a precaution, the embassy urged European travelers to select flight itineraries that do not involve transit through Thailand and to consider alternative airlines that offer more suitable transit conditions for travel to Cambodia.

The statement stressed that the reported incidents occurred outside Cambodian territory and fall beyond the jurisdiction of Cambodian authorities, though they may still affect travelers’ overall experience.

The embassy also reaffirmed that Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming destination for foreign tourists.

 

US Expert Says Thailand–Cambodia Conflict Raises Legal, Humanitarian Concerns

 

  

— As fighting continues along the Thailand–Cambodia border, questions of legality and proportionality under international law are coming into focus, according to American analyst Arnaud Darc.

 

Darc told reporters that public debate has largely centered on “who fired first,” but under international law that is only the starting point. He said legality is determined by limits and thresholds, not rhetoric.

 

Citing official statements and independent reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, the BBC, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Darc said Thailand’s military actions raise serious legal questions, particularly its claim of self‑defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

 

Thailand has formally invoked its right to self‑defense, but Darc noted international law requires five criteria: armed attack, clear attribution, necessity, proportionality and immediacy. Independent sources have not verified which side initiated hostilities Dec. 7–8, leaving Thailand with the burden of proof.

 

Reports of deep incursions, air power and economic measures suggest Thailand’s campaign may extend beyond immediate defense into sustained coercion, Darc said.

 

He stressed that humanitarian law applies regardless of who fired first. More than half a million people have been displaced, with civilian deaths reported on both sides.

 

Cambodia has alleged airstrikes near displaced civilian camps and operations in Siem Reap province, though these claims have not been independently verified.

 

Darc urged independent monitoring, satellite confirmation and humanitarian access to prevent escalation. “International law still provides a framework to contain this conflict,” he said. “But it only works if states accept limits and allow facts to be independently verified.”

---------------

By: Minea Son

©KPT English

Smithsonian Returns Three Looted Artefacts

Cambodianess 

 

“Head of Harihara” (mid-10th century), “The Goddess Uma” (10th century) and “Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom)” (c. 1200); Image Credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photo by Robert Harrell 

 

PHNOM PENH – Three masterpiece Khmer artefacts looted during the period of turbulence are set to return to Cambodia from the US National Museum of Asian Art.

The repatriation follows years of negotiations between the Cambodian team and the Smithsonian Institution.

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said on Dec. 16 that the Smithsonian’s board of regents has formally approved the return of the Head of Harihara, 10th century, Female Deity (the Goddess Uma), 10th century, and Prajnaparamita, late 12th century. 

The ministry said that the approval was cleared on Oct. 27. The three objects are on display at the institution’s National Museum of Asian Art.

The Smithsonian said an internal assessment had been  conducted since 2022.

For the Head of Harihara, a deity combining Shiva and Vishnu, only half of Shiva’s third eye is visible, thus confirming the dual identity and matching those of Pre Rup Temple. The sculpture was likely acquired by William H. Wolff Inc. before 1968 and passed to Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and gifted to the museum in 1987.

The female deity, believed to be Goddess Uma, has a standing pose and is believed to be associated with Bakheng Temple. Meanwhile, the bronze statue Prajnaparamita — meaning perfection of wisdom — was donated to the museum in 2005. 

Cambodia Wants Peace but Suffers Because of Thailand’s Ambitions

Cambodianess 

 

The image shows people escaping a camp in Srei Snam District after Thai F-16 aircraft dropped bombs nearby on the morning of December 15. Photos: Khem Sovannara 

 

Cambodia is a small country that has gone through decades of civil war and longs for peace. Peace is the number‑one priority for this impoverished nation. Peace is valued above everything else in the lives of the Cambodian people.

Because Cambodia is a peace‑loving country, the word “peace” appears everywhere — inside the country or abroad — wherever Cambodians are present.

During more than a week of armed conflict, Cambodians inside and outside the country have appealed to the world to help stop Thailand’s aggressive actions. But Thai leaders continue to declare war, ignoring calls from the United States and other foreign partners. 

In Thailand, if any citizen dares to express an opinion urging their government to stop using military force and return to negotiations, that person is attacked and criticized by Thai society to varying degrees.

In this situation, Cambodia cannot maintain peace because the Kingdom of Thailand has nurtured expansionist thinking. Thailand’s expansionist mindset is not limited to territorial expansion through military force; the country also seeks to expand its cultural influence and claims shared or similar cultural heritage of some Asian nations as its own.

EU Urges Cambodia and Thailand to Restore Ceasefire, Offers Satellite Monitoring Support

Cambodianess 

 

EU Urges Cambodia and Thailand to Restore Ceasefire, Offers Satellite Monitoring Support

BANTEAY MEANCHEY — The European Union has urged Cambodia and Thailand to restore their ceasefire, offering satellite imagery support to help monitor its implementation and prevent further escalation.

 

In a statement issued on December 17, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, said she raised the issue during separate discussions with the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia.

“The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia must not be allowed to spiral further. That’s why the ceasefire needs to be immediately restored,” Kallas said.

 

She added that the EU remains committed to engaging with both sides to help break the cycle of escalation.

 

“The EU can offer satellite imagery for ceasefire monitoring,” she noted.

 

Thailand demands unilateral ceasefire announcement from Cambodia

Bangkok says Phnom Penh must be first to declare a ceasefire and cooperate ‘sincerely’ on demining the border.

 

 

 

Cambodians evacuate after Thai air attacks in Siem Reap province [Agence Kampuchea Press via AFP]

By Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies
Published On 16 Dec 202516 Dec 2025


Thailand has demanded Cambodia must be the first to declare a halt in fighting in order to bring an end to the latest round of clashes between the southeast Asian neighbours.

“As the aggressor onto Thai territory, Cambodia must announce the ceasefire first,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo said during a briefing in Bangkok on Tuesday, the AFP news agency reported.

She added that Cambodia must also cooperate “sincerely” in efforts to clear landmines in the border regions.

There was no immediate response from Cambodia. Each country has blamed the other for instigating the clashes, claiming self-defence and blaming the other for attacks on civilians.

Dozens killed

Fighting between the neighbours, prompted by longstanding rival claims to territory along their 817km (508-mile) land border, was reignited by a skirmish on December 7.

The renewed clashes at various locations have killed at least 32 people, including soldiers and civilians, on either side of the border, and displaced some 800,000, officials said.

Thailand’s Political Suicide by Undermining China’s Achievements in Cambodia

 

When a country chooses bullets as its means of dialogue, it becomes extremely difficult to claim that it is defending peace or respecting international law. The armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand at the current stage can no longer be described as a mere “border dispute.” Rather, it has evolved into a manifestation of directionless political behavior that is quietly pushing Thailand toward political suicide - one that carries increasingly severe consequences.

 

At first glance, Thailand’s military actions may appear to stem from a border dispute. In reality, however, they serve merely as a pretext to advance domestic political objectives, particularly the pursuit of popularity ahead of upcoming elections. Especially when Thailand’s internal politics repeatedly reach deadlock, creating an external enemy has become a familiar and frequently used strategy - one that has yielded political dividends in the past. Playing the nationalist card while holding regional security hostage is not a sign of political strength; on the contrary, it reflects a lack of vision and an inability to effectively govern the country.

 

What makes the situation even more alarming is Thailand’s apparent choice to pursue isolation, with little regard for the economic and diplomatic consequences on the international stage. In an increasingly interconnected world, the reckless use of military force without consideration for shared interests is akin to severing oneself from the global community, disregarding the inevitable repercussions for economic cooperation and diplomatic relations. Thailand may perceive itself as a dominant power in the region and seek to project an image of an ASEAN hegemon, yet the price it risks paying internationally could far exceed its expectations.

 

ទាហានថៃស្លាប់ជាង 4000នាក់ របួសជិត 10000នាក់ (ប្រភពផ្ទៃក្នុងទ័ពថៃ) | 15-1...

Why the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire is failing

The truce did not address the root cause of the conflict. A new initiative with a clear enforcement mechanism is needed.

By Ronny P Sasmita

Senior international affairs analyst at the Indonesia Strategic and Economics Action Institution.
Published On 14 Dec 202514 Dec 2025


 

A military truck carries a tank during deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area in Surin province, Thailand, on December 11, 2025 [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

 

Thailand’s sudden return to the use of force along its frontier with Cambodia is a blunt reminder of how volatile one of Southeast Asia’s most enduring territorial disputes remains. The pace of the latest escalation is startling. Only weeks earlier, leaders from both countries stood before regional and international dignitaries at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, endorsing a ceasefire framework that was presented as a political breakthrough. The symbolism was heavy, a truce blessed by regional leaders and witnessed by United States President Donald Trump meant to signal that Southeast Asia could manage its own tensions responsibly.

Yet that promise evaporated almost as soon as the delegations returned home. Bangkok’s air strikes on Cambodian positions in contested border pockets triggered immediate evacuations.

What this sequence reveals is painfully familiar. Ceasefires in this dispute have rarely been more than pauses in a long cycle of distrust. Agreements are signed in conference halls, but the frontier itself has its own rhythm – one shaped by longstanding grievances, competing national narratives and the difficulties of managing heavily armed forces operating in ambiguous terrain.

The ceasefire endorsed at the ASEAN summit was constructed as the foundation for a broader roadmap. It committed both sides to cease hostilities, halt troop movements and gradually scale down the deployment of heavy weapons near contested areas. Crucially, it tasked ASEAN with deploying monitoring teams to observe compliance.

បន្ទាន់ !លោកត្រាំគំរាមដាក់ទោស បុគ្គលបង្កសង្រ្គាម ខណពេលថ្ងៃនេះថៃវាយកម្ពុជ...

Quote, unquote ...

 

 

ថៃជាក្មេងទំនើងដែលគ្មានអ្នកណាអាចអប់រំបាន || ULTRANATIONALISM THAT RUIN TH...

អនុធីនមិនស្តាប់ត្រាំ ប្រកាសបន្តឈ្លានពានកម្ពុជា [13-12-2025]

Cambodia shuts border crossings with Thailand as fighting continues

 

 

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Image caption,

Trump had already announced a deal to stop the fighting between the neighbours

ByJonathan Head, South East Asia correspondent and Matt Spivey

Published
12 December 2025

Updated 3 hours ago

Cambodia has shut its border crossings with Thailand, as fighting continues between the two forces on Saturday despite US President Donald Trump earlier saying they had agreed to a ceasefire.

The crossings will be closed until further notice, according to Cambodia's interior ministry.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he told Trump a ceasefire would only be possible after Cambodia had withdrawn all its forces and removed landmines.

Thai officials said four soldiers were killed on Saturday, as both sides reported continued bombing and artillery exchanges. Cambodia has not been updating its military casualty figure.

Cambodia's defence ministry said that Thai fighter jets bombed hotel buildings and a bridge, while Thailand reported several civilians were injured in a Cambodian rocket attack.

The four deaths on Saturday bring Thailand's total military death toll since Monday to 15, with 270 others injured. It added that six civilians had also been injured.

On Friday, Cambodia said at least 11 civilians had been killed and 59 others injured.

At least 700,000 people have been evacuated on both sides of the border.

Trump had claimed earlier in the week that he could stop the fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces that broke out on Monday just by picking up the phone.

Trump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'cease all shooting'

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Panarat Thepgumpanat
December 12, 20257:50 PM GMTUpdated 6 hours ago

Reuters

 

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul looks on ahead of making offerings to monks, on the day he speaks to members of the media to announce the dissolution of parliament at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, December 12, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa Purchase Licensing Rights

    Summary

    Trump says both countries have agreed to return to ceasefire
    Thai PM makes no mention of deal, says Trump call 'went well'
    Malaysia PM says he spoke to Trump
    Thai army has said it wants to decimate Cambodia's military capability

WASHINGTON/BANGKOK, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Thailand and Cambodia have agreed "to cease all shooting" effective Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said after calls with the countries' leaders to try to salvage a ceasefire he brokered earlier this year after a fifth day of fighting.

Trump said he had spoken to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian premier Hun Manet "concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running war" and both had agreed to end the conflict.

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"They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America."

Cambodia and Thailand have since Monday been firing rockets and artillery at multiple points along their disputed 817-km (508-mile) border, in some of the heaviest fighting since a five-day clash in July that Trump halted with calls to both leaders to end their worst conflict in recent history.

 

BREAKING: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew the ceasefire following recent deadly clashes, effective Friday, according to US President Donald Trump

Khmer Circle: Let's hope so but, knowing the Thais they'll likely break yet another agreement by claiming one or two of their soldiers step on the land mines laid by Cambodia ...

^^^