US President Donald Trump (R) claps as Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (2nd L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (2nd R) as Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur. (IMAGE: AFP)
Explainers
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News1813-12-2025, 16:23

Trump's Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Fails as Border Clashes Continue

  • Trump declared a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, but fighting continued immediately after, with both nations disputing the agreement.
  • Thailand's foreign ministry explicitly denied a ceasefire, while Cambodia reported Thai airstrikes, indicating no truce was in effect.
  • The latest escalation began December 7 after a skirmish wounded Thai soldiers, collapsing a fragile July ceasefire and displacing hundreds of thousands.
  • The border dispute, rooted in colonial-era maps, is fueled by deep mistrust, accusations of landmine use, and domestic political pressures in both countries.
  • Thailand demands Cambodia cease landmine use and withdraw forces before diplomacy, while Cambodia seeks international engagement as the weaker party.

Why It Matters: Trump's failed ceasefire shows external pressure can't force lasting peace without trust.

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