U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to immediate ceasefire talks following three days of intense border clashes that have killed over 30 people and displaced 130,000—the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in 13 years. In a series of social media posts from Scotland, Trump revealed he had spoken separately with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting premier Phumtham Wechayachai, warning both leaders that continued conflict would jeopardize future trade deals with the U.S. “Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace,” Trump declared, positioning himself as an unexpected mediator in the crisis.
Thailand’s Phumtham confirmed the ceasefire push in a Facebook response, stating his government agreed “in principle” but demanded “sincere intention” from Cambodia. He also requested Trump’s help in arranging urgent bilateral talks to formalize truce terms. The clashes—sparked by the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May—escalated this week with new fighting reported Saturday in Thailand’s Trat province and Cambodia’s Pursat, marking a dangerous expansion of hostilities 100 km from earlier flashpoints. Both nations accuse the other of aggression while reinforcing border troops, with the crisis threatening Thailand’s unstable coalition government.
The U.N. expressed “deep concern,” with Secretary-General António Guterres urging an immediate ceasefire through spokesperson Farhan Haq, who condemned the “tragic and unnecessary loss of lives.” Trump’s intervention, while lacking details on negotiation logistics, aligns with his aggressive trade diplomacy—he vowed to finalize separate deals with both nations post-ceasefire, linking economic incentives to conflict resolution. The White House and both countries’ U.S. embassies remained silent on next steps, leaving Trump’s self-styled mediation untested.
Regional efforts continue in parallel, with ASEAN chair Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia advancing his own ceasefire proposal—backed by Cambodia but only tentatively by Thailand. Analysts caution that while Trump’s involvement adds high-profile pressure, lasting peace depends on addressing long-standing border disputes and mutual distrust. As artillery exchanges persist, displaced civilians face worsening conditions, with international observers warning the humanitarian toll could spike if diplomacy fails to yield concrete de-escalation.