SAMRAONG, July 27 — Fierce border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia reignited early Sunday morning, defying an agreement in principle for a ceasefire following diplomatic intervention by US President Donald Trump.
This marks the fourth consecutive day of fighting between the two Southeast Asian nations, whose decades-old border dispute has now erupted into the bloodiest confrontation in years. As of today, at least 33 people are confirmed dead and over 200,000 residents have been displaced from conflict zones.
Despite Trump’s late-Saturday calls with both governments—where Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed in principle to halt hostilities—the situation on the ground quickly deteriorated.
Shelling resumed early Sunday, concentrated near two ancient and long-contested temple sites along the Thailand-Cambodia frontier. According to Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata, Thai troops began artillery attacks around 4:50 a.m. in the temple zones. Thai army officials, however, countered that Cambodia initiated the aggression at 4:00 a.m., aiming to seize strategic hilltop positions.
The artillery fire shook homes in the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometers from the conflict zone, witnesses reported.
Diplomatic Tensions Mount
Both nations publicly maintain a willingness to cease hostilities, but accusations and counter-accusations continue to derail progress. Prime Minister Hun Manet stated Cambodia had “agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and has tasked Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to liaise with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, he also warned Thailand against violating any future agreement.
Thailand, in turn, blamed Cambodia for targeting civilian areas. The Thai Foreign Ministry accused Cambodian forces of firing shells into Surin province homes, denouncing Cambodia’s “lack of good faith” and violations of humanitarian law. Cambodian officials denied these claims, calling Thailand’s actions “deliberate and coordinated aggression.”
The conflict has intensified dramatically this week, with both sides deploying jets, tanks, and ground forces across a rural jungle and farming region that spans a disputed stretch of their 800-kilometre shared border.
So far, Thailand has reported 7 soldiers and 13 civilian deaths, while Cambodia confirmed 5 military and 8 civilian fatalities. Around 138,000 Thais and 80,000 Cambodians have been evacuated.
International Response
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session in New York on Friday. Cambodia’s UN envoy called for an immediate truce, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both nations to “immediately agree to a ceasefire” and resolve the border conflict through peaceful dialogue.
Adding to the gravity of the conflict, Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions, while Thailand claims Cambodian forces have targeted civilian infrastructure including hospitals.
With rising humanitarian concerns and no formal ceasefire in effect, the international community watches closely as diplomacy hangs in the balance.
