Thailand and Cambodia continued exchanging fire along their disputed border on Sunday. The clashes entered a fourth consecutive day, shortly after US President Donald Trump said both countries had agreed to begin ceasefire talks.
Officials from both sides confirmed that the conflict has killed at least 32 people and displaced over 200,000 since Thursday.
Each country blames the other for starting the violence. Their leaders are expected to meet in Malaysia on Monday to address the crisis, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.
Thailand says ceasefire not yet possible
Despite Trump’s announcement, Thailand said on Sunday it was not ready to halt military operations. Officials accused Cambodia of firing artillery into civilian areas, including Surin province and other regions near the border.
Thailand’s foreign ministry released a statement saying a ceasefire cannot happen while Cambodia continues to violate human rights and international humanitarian law.
Trump warned both governments that the US would reconsider trade deals if the conflict continues.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Thailand prefers direct talks over third-party mediation. He thanked Trump for his concern but stressed that Thai forces would remain active.
“We’ve proposed a meeting between our foreign ministers to agree on conditions for a ceasefire,” he said. “Our troops will stay on alert until civilians are safe.”
Border strikes hit historic temple site
On Sunday morning, Thailand struck several Cambodian sites using drones, tanks, cluster munitions and aerial bombs, according to Cambodia’s defence ministry.
Some attacks landed near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Cambodia. The temple has been a flashpoint in previous disputes.
Cambodia condemned the strikes as premeditated aggression. Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the attacks ignored ongoing ceasefire efforts supported by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“Our forces continue to respond and will protect our territory,” he said.
High civilian toll and mass displacement
The fighting started on Thursday after a landmine wounded five Thai soldiers near the border. Both countries accused each other of provoking the incident. They have since recalled ambassadors, and Thailand has closed several border crossings.
Thai authorities reported 19 deaths, mostly civilians. Over 138,000 people from six provinces are now in shelters, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Cambodia reported 13 deaths in Oddar Meanchey province, including eight civilians. At least 50 others were injured. The Cambodian defence ministry said the conflict has displaced more than 80,000 people.
The United Nations Security Council has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to help mediate a peaceful resolution.
Thailand and Cambodia share an 800-kilometre border that has long been disputed. Though previous clashes have occurred, they were usually brief and less severe than the current conflict.
