Tensions have erupted once again along the Thailand–Cambodia border, with armed clashes entering a second consecutive day despite strong calls from the United States and the international community to halt the violence.
The renewed fighting has left at least eight people dead and forced around 400,000 residents on both sides of the frontier to evacuate, raising fears that the Trump-backed peace agreement signed just months ago may now be close to total collapse.
A Rapidly Escalating Conflict
Both governments have confirmed that the border violence intensified on Tuesday, spreading to multiple points along the disputed 800-kilometre boundary. Reports cite:
Accusations of rocket strikes,
Claims of large-scale drone attacks,
Heavy shelling in populated areas.
The situation marks the heaviest fighting since July, when a deadly five-day conflict left dozens killed and displaced nearly 200,000 people.
Thai Foreign Minister Signals Possible Escalation
In an interview with CNN, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow warned that military action would continue “until we feel that sovereignty and territorial integrity are not challenged.”
This statement has increased fears that the situation may worsen before any peace efforts regain momentum.
Why Has Fighting Broken Out Again?
The exact trigger remains unclear. Both sides blame each other for initiating the latest round of fire, and independent verification has not been possible.
Thailand’s Accusations
According to the Thai air force and navy, Cambodia has:
Mobilised heavy artillery,
Deployed special operations units,
Fired BM-21 rockets into Thai civilian areas,
Dug fortified trenches along the border,
Encroached into Thai territory in the coastal province of Trat.
Cambodia’s Response
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence strongly denied the accusations, arguing instead that:
Thai forces carried out “uninterrupted firing throughout the night,”
Thailand used large drones and “poisonous smoke” in several border zones,
Thai troops had engaged in provocative actions for many days.
The Cambodian Interior Ministry reported that seven civilians were killed and about 20 wounded, while Thailand confirmed the death of one soldier.
International Concern Mounts
The international community has expressed growing alarm as the clashes escalate.
United Nations and European Union
Both have urged immediate restraint and a return to dialogue.
The UN Secretary General emphasised the need to prioritise civilian protection.
United States Response
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for:
An immediate cessation of hostilities,
A renewed commitment to the peace agreement,
Safety and protection of border communities.
A senior US official told CNN that President Donald Trump “expects both Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments.”
Thailand and Cambodia Defiant
Despite international pressure, both nations appear firm in their positions.
Thailand’s Stand
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told journalists in Bangkok that “Cambodia must comply with Thailand in order to stop the fighting.” When asked about the Trump-backed peace deal, he replied, “I don’t remember that anymore.”
Cambodia’s Position
Former Cambodian leader and influential political figure Hun Sen declared on Facebook that armed forces “must strike back at all points where the enemy attacks.”
This rhetoric signals a sharp decline in trust between the two neighbours, already frail since the violent clashes in July.
What Happened to the Peace Agreement?
The peace deal was signed in Malaysia in October, with Donald Trump presiding over the ceremony. The US pressured both nations into signing by suggesting that future trade deals would depend on their cooperation.
However, several key issues remained unresolved:
Cambodia and Thailand still dispute how their borders were originally mapped by colonial-era France.
The peace declaration failed to settle the underlying territorial claims.
Trust between the two sides remained low.
Tensions Already Brewing
Weeks before the latest escalation:
A landmine explosion injured four Thai soldiers in November.
Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new landmines (a claim Cambodia denies).
Thailand suspended progress on the peace agreement.
The planned release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war was halted.
What Happens Next?
With both governments showing little sign of compromise, the future of the border remains uncertain.
When asked whether Thailand would consult Donald Trump over the renewed clashes, Foreign Minister Sihasak said the matter should be handled directly between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, stating that both countries must “work things out.”
For now, the conflict continues to displace families, threaten stability across Southeast Asia, and put the Trump-brokered peace agreement in serious jeopardy.
Sources
CNN News Report
Statements from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Cambodian Ministry of National Defence
US Department of State
United Nations Press Office
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