Cambodia Shuts Border with Thailand Amid Disputed Ceasefire Claim by Trump

Cambodia has closed its border with Thailand after Bangkok denied former US President Trump’s claim of a truce to end deadly border clashes. The conflict, rooted in a long-standing border dispute, has displaced around half a million people and killed at least 25, including four Thai soldiers. Both sides blame each other for reigniting the violence. Previous ceasefires brokered by the US, China, and ASEAN have failed, leaving evacuees on both sides frustrated and distrustful.

Cambodia has shut all of its border crossings with Thailand following Bangkok’s rejection of a claim by former US President Donald Trump that a truce had been reached to end several days of deadly clashes.

After the most recent deaths were reported, Phnom Penh announced that it would immediately “suspend all entry and exit movements at all Cambodia–Thailand border crossings,” according to a statement issued by the interior ministry on Saturday.

The violence between the two Southeast Asian neighbours is rooted in a long-standing dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. The renewed fighting has displaced approximately half a million people on both sides of the frontier.

At least 25 people have been killed during the past week. Among the dead are four Thai soldiers who were killed in the border area on Saturday, the Thai defence ministry confirmed.

Each side has accused the other of reigniting the hostilities shortly before Trump announced that a ceasefire had been agreed. However, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed the claim, saying Trump “didn’t mention whether we should make a ceasefire” during their phone conversation on Friday.

“The issue wasn’t discussed,” Anutin told journalists on Saturday.

Trump had earlier praised what he described as a “very good conversation” with Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the leaders had “agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord” reached in July.

In July, a ceasefire was brokered by the United States, China and Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following an initial five-day surge in violence.

In October, Trump also backed a follow-up joint declaration between Thailand and Cambodia, highlighting new trade agreements after both countries agreed to extend their truce. However, Thailand suspended the deal the following month after Thai soldiers were injured by landmines along the border.

In Thailand, evacuee Kanyapat Saopria said she no longer trusts Cambodia. “The last round of peace efforts didn’t work out. I don’t know if this one will either,” the 39-year-old said.

Across the border, Cambodian evacuee Vy Rina, 43, said she was saddened that the fighting had not stopped despite Trump’s involvement. “I am not happy with brutal acts,” she said.