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Thailand Rejects Ceasefire, Fighting Continues Along Cambodia Border
Thailand’s PM Anutin says military will continue operations along the disputed Cambodia border, contradicting US claims of a ceasefire. Six days of fighting have killed 20+ and displaced 600,000.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-13
Thailand Rejects Ceasefire, Fighting Continues Along Cambodia Border

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared that his country has not reached a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, with Thai forces continuing military operations along the disputed border.

The announcement comes amid conflicting claims regarding peace efforts. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a key mediator, had urged both nations to cease hostilities starting Saturday evening. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump claimed late Friday that he had successfully brokered a ceasefire between the two neighbouring countries. However, fighting persisted, and Cambodia has yet to comment on Trump’s assertion.

According to Thailand’s Defence Ministry, four Thai soldiers were killed on Saturday in the Chong An Ma area, bringing the total casualties for Thailand to 14 since the clashes began on Monday. Cambodia has not reported casualties from the most recent attacks. Overall, more than 20 people have died on both sides, with nearly 200 injured, and approximately 600,000 people displaced along the 800km (500-mile) Thailand-Cambodia border, where the conflict centres on centuries-old temples.

“Thailand will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people. Our actions this morning already spoke,” Prime Minister Anutin wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of continuing bombings despite Trump’s ceasefire announcement. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defence, Thai forces used two F-16 fighter jets to drop seven bombs on targets on December 13, including villages and settlements. Additionally, the Thai navy reportedly launched 20 artillery shells from a vessel into Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, hitting hotels and beaches. Local news outlet The Khmer Times reported that two hotels in Thmor Da, Pursat province were severely damaged.

In response to ongoing attacks, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior announced the immediate closure of the border with Thailand, instructing citizens residing in each country to remain until a ceasefire is fully implemented.

Despite Trump claiming the ceasefire would go into effect Friday evening and attributing a roadside bomb incident that killed Thai soldiers as an accident, Prime Minister Anutin refuted the claim, stating it was “definitely not a roadside accident.”

Analysts note that the conflict may be politically advantageous for Anutin, who recently announced the dissolution of parliament amid a legislative deadlock with the opposition People’s Party, paving the way for a snap election. Political commentator Jack Barton observed that the border clashes have boosted Anutin’s popularity after criticism over his handling of floods and the economy, suggesting it is unlikely Thailand will fully commit to a ceasefire until the upcoming elections in the next two months.

The six-day resurgence of fighting underscores the fragile nature of peace along the Thailand-Cambodia border and highlights the challenges in resolving long-standing territorial disputes in Southeast Asia.
Tagged:

thailand

BorderConflict

Cambodia

CeasefireFail
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