Thailand and Cambodia Express Intent for Ceasefire Amid Trump's Mediation... Fighting Continues for Fourth Day (Summary)

"Both sides claim the other attacked first"... 33 dead and over 130 injured across both nations

Thai gas station attacked by Cambodian forces [AFP Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

(Jakarta=Yonhap News) Reporter Son Hyun-gu = Thailand and Cambodia, which recently engaged in armed clashes at their border, have continued fighting for a fourth day despite expressing an intent to discuss a ceasefire through the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to reports from the AP and other agencies on the 27th (local time), President Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social the previous day that he had spoken with the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia and that both sides had agreed to hold talks for ceasefire negotiations.

He also indicated that he would suspend ongoing trade negotiations with both nations if they did not accept his mediation efforts.

President Trump further announced that both countries had agreed to convene meetings to negotiate a ceasefire.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a statement that day that they had agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire," calling it "positive news for the soldiers and citizens of both countries."

He added that President Trump had informed him during their phone conversation that Phumtham Wechayachai, the acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, had also agreed to end the attacks.

The AP reported that Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to directly consult with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampong to establish a roadmap for the ceasefire.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that it "agrees in principle to conclude a ceasefire agreement" with Cambodia.

However, regarding the actual possibility of a ceasefire, the ministry emphasized that they "want to see genuine commitment from Cambodia" and that bilateral discussions must be swiftly pursued to achieve substantive peace.

Despite the agreement to negotiate a ceasefire under President Trump’s mediation, clashes continued in some border areas on that day.

Thai Army spokesperson Richa Sukswanot stated that Cambodian forces had shelled the eastern Surin province, where civilian homes are located, early in the morning.

He added that Cambodian forces also launched rocket attacks targeting the Ta Muen Thom temple—a site of long-standing territorial disputes—and other areas in an attempt to retake territory occupied by the Thai military.

Regarding President Trump's mediation efforts, spokesperson Sukswanot emphasized that it is a "separate matter" and that a ceasefire is impossible unless Cambodia initiates formal negotiations.

Conversely, Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Malich Sochieata refuted this, claiming that Thai forces had bombed several areas in Cambodia using tanks and ground troops that morning.

He criticized the move, saying, "(Thailand's) actions undermine all efforts toward a peaceful resolution," and added that "Thailand is clearly demonstrating an intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict."

Thailand and Cambodia, neighboring nations sharing an 800-kilometer border, have been in persistent conflict since late May, when a small-scale skirmish in the border area of Nam Yuen in Ubon Ratchathani province, northeastern Thailand, resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Over the three days starting the 24th, both sides engaged in armed conflict involving fighter jets, resulting in 33 deaths and over 130 injuries among soldiers and civilians from both countries.

The death toll from the current fighting has already surpassed the 28 recorded during the border disputes between the two countries from 2008 to 2011.

As the conflict has expanded along the border, 131,000 people in Thailand and 37,000 in Cambodia have been displaced. Most of the border areas have been left in ruins, with many schools and hospitals forced to close.

Refugee shelter in the eastern Sisaket province of Thailand near the border [AFP Yonhap News. Redistribution and DB prohibited]