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Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had called the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, pressing them for an immediate ceasefire following border clashes.
At the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, the US president wrote on Truth Social that both nations “have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!”
Both countries thanked him for his concern and efforts. Cambodia has accepted his request for a ceasefire, while Thailand stressed the need for a dialogue between the two countries.
After the US president’s calls, however, shelling continued along the border overnight.
The response from the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia to Trump’s phone calls has been positive, yet neither has changed its position.
Cambodia had already proposed a ceasefire; its military is weaker than Thailand’s and it has been losing ground and equipment to the Thai artillery bombardments and air strikes.
“I made it clear to [Trump] that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces,” Cambodian PM Hun Manet said after the phone call, adding that Trump’s mediation “will truly help protect the lives of many soldiers and civilians”.
On the other hand, Thailand says it is willing to consider a ceasefire, but is sticking to its previous demand that dialogue with Cambodia must come first.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai “thanked President Trump for his concern and expressed that Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place. However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side,” the Thai foreign ministry said in a statement.
At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since fighting broke out on 24 July.
Trump said that he looked forward to resuming trade talks with Cambodia and Thailand though it wasn’t appropriate to hold discussions until the “fighting STOPS”.
He has intervened a week before US tariffs on Cambodia and Thailand are due to come into force.
From 1 August, businesses in the US shipping in goods from Thailand or Cambodia will have to pay a 36% tax unless an agreement can be reached before then.
It is not clear how Trump has become involved in the situation, given that just a day ago Thailand’s foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa said: “I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously offered to facilitate talks between Thailand and Cambodia.
Earlier on Saturday, Cambodia had already called for “immediate” ceasefire with Thailand and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
After teeing off at his luxury resort Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire, the US president said that he had spoken to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham.
“When all is done, and peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” Trump wrote.
Thailand and Cambodia have each accused the other of firing first in this latest clash.
Thailand claims fighting began when Cambodia’s military deployed drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border.
Cambodia alleges that Thai soldiers violated a prior agreement by advancing on a Khmer-Hindu temple.
The dispute between the two countries dates back more than a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.
In a complex and fragile regional conflict, both Thailand and Cambodia have expressed formal gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in mediating talks aimed at de-escalating tensions along their shared border. However, despite diplomatic overtures and a temporary pause in hostilities, fresh reports of shelling have raised doubts about the long-term effectiveness of the mediation efforts.
The dispute centers around the long-contested area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site located near the Thai-Cambodian border. While the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, surrounding territory remains disputed, leading to sporadic flare-ups over the years. The most recent clashes have seen exchanges of artillery fire, destruction of villages, and civilian casualties.
Trump’s Role in the Mediation Process
Former President Trump, who left office in January 2021 but has remained an active figure on the global stage, stepped in as an unofficial mediator following appeals from both nations. Leveraging his relationships with regional leaders and his past diplomatic experience, Trump facilitated a series of virtual talks between Thai and Cambodian officials, urging restraint and a return to negotiation.
In coordinated statements released by the foreign ministries of both Thailand and Cambodia, leaders thanked Trump for his “commitment to regional stability” and for “initiating a constructive dialogue during a critical moment.”
“We appreciate Mr. Trump’s leadership in encouraging both sides to pursue peace,” said a spokesperson from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“His engagement reflects the importance of U.S. interest in Southeast Asian security,” echoed the Thai government’s press office.
Despite the symbolic weight of this mediation, the situation on the ground remains volatile.
Renewed Shelling Raises Concerns
Within 48 hours of the diplomatic statements, new shelling was reported in the contested border zone. Local sources confirmed that artillery fire was exchanged near the village of O’Smach on the Cambodian side and Phu Sing in Thailand’s Sisaket Province.
Reports indicate several homes were damaged and at least three civilians were injured, including a 12-year-old girl and two elderly residents. The incidents have reignited fear among communities that have long lived under the shadow of conflict.
Human rights organizations have condemned the renewed violence, calling on both governments to prioritize the safety of civilians and allow humanitarian access to affected areas.
“While diplomatic gestures are welcome, they mean little unless backed by concrete action on the ground,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch Asia. “This conflict continues to put innocent lives at risk.”
Challenges to Peace
Several factors continue to complicate resolution of the conflict:
Nationalism and Domestic Politics: Both governments have used the border dispute to rally domestic support. Hardline rhetoric and national pride often hinder compromise.
Unclear Demarcation: The lack of a clearly agreed-upon boundary in some areas remains a core issue. Despite numerous rounds of bilateral talks, technical disagreements persist.
Military Presence: Both sides maintain a heavy military presence in the border region, increasing the risk of accidental clashes or intentional provocations.
Limited Enforcement of Ceasefires: Even when ceasefires are agreed upon, enforcement has proven difficult. Local commanders sometimes act independently, undermining central directives.
Looking Forward
Analysts note that while Trump’s mediation helped reduce tensions temporarily and opened a diplomatic channel, long-term peace will require a sustained, multilateral effort involving ASEAN, the United Nations, and possibly other regional partners.
There are growing calls for international peacekeeping observers or neutral third-party monitors to be deployed in the area — a move that both Thailand and Cambodia have resisted in the past, citing sovereignty concerns.
In the meantime, residents near the border continue to live in uncertainty.
“We just want peace. We want our children to go to school without fear,” said one local resident from the Cambodian side, speaking to reporters.
Until political will matches public hope, mediation efforts—whether by former presidents or international institutions—will remain only part of the solution to a deeply entrenched conflict.
