Donald Trump mentions 'India, Pakistan conflict' again while taking credit for Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire
Thailand has agreed in principle to a ceasefire with Cambodia amidst escalating conflict that has resulted in at least 33 deaths and 150,000 displaced. US President Trump has urged a ceasefire while negotiating trade agreements with both nations.
Thailand announced late Saturday that it had agreed in principle to a ceasefire with Cambodia and expressed willingness to engage in “bilateral dialogue” to resolve what has become the most intense fighting between the two nations in more than a decade.
Here are the top ten updates:
1. Cambodia is willing to discuss a ceasefire to halt its border conflict with Thailand, Prime Minister Hun Manet said Sunday, welcoming a late-night intervention by US President Donald Trump. Hun Manet said his foreign minister would talk to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to coordinate with the Thais, but warned Bangkok against reneging on any agreement, AFP reported.
2. Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra stated that the fighting has forced 10,865 Cambodian families, or approximately 37,635 people, in three border provinces to evacuate to safer areas. Meanwhile, Thai officials reported that over 131,000 people have fled from villages along the border.
3. The foreign ministry said in a statement on X, “Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place”.
4. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, as he pushes his trade agenda, called for a ceasefire after speaking with the leaders of both countries. He also compared the situation to the conflict between India and Pakistan. According to a series of posts on Truth Social on Saturday (local time), the US President has once again leveraged trade negotiations in order to broker a ceasefire and peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand.
5. “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging. We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting -And I have told them so!”
6. “The call with Thailand is being made momentarily. The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt,” the post read.
Also Read: Donald Trump steps back from taking credit, says India-Pakistan leaders ‘decided’ to end conflict
7. Thailand's foreign ministry confirmed a phone call between Trump and Phumtham, and stressed that regarding a possible ceasefire, “Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side.” It said Phumtham requested Trump to “convey to the Cambodian side that Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
Also Read: Pakistan nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Pivotal leadership during India-Pak crisis…’
8. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed his deep concern over the recent armed clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border, urging both nations to agree to an immediate ceasefire and resolve their disputes through dialogue. In a post on X, the UN Chief urged for a ceasefire and assistance to facilitate a peaceful resolution between the two nations.
"I am deeply concerned about the recent armed clashes at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. I urge both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue. I remain available to assist in efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute," Guterres stated.
9. Tensions initially flared over long-contested ancient temple sites before fighting spread along the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Both sides have exchanged rocket and artillery fire, and although Thailand initially denied Cambodia’s accusations of using internationally banned cluster munitions, a Thai military spokesperson later stated on Friday that such weapons may be employed “when necessary” to meet military objectives. Human Rights Watch criticised the use of cluster munitions in civilian-populated areas.
10. Thailand and Cambodia have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use of these weapons. Thai forces deployed them during a border clash with Cambodia in February 2011, an incident that resulted in 20 fatalities.
(With inputs from agencies)