Three days of intense clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed border have left more than 30 people dead and displaced over 130,000 civilians, raising fears of a prolonged conflict with regional and global implications.
The hostilities—focused on longstanding disputes over territory near the ancient Preah Vihear temple—are now drawing international diplomatic intervention, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing on Saturday that both sides have agreed to hold immediate ceasefire talks.
Trump, speaking from Scotland during a diplomatic visit, said he had held separate calls with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, urging them to negotiate or face the suspension of future trade agreements with the United States. “Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace,” Trump stated, adding that he hoped to resume trade discussions once calm is restored.
Phumtham responded on social media, confirming Thailand’s agreement in principle to a ceasefire but emphasised the need to see “sincere intention” from Cambodia. He added that he had requested Trump to press for direct bilateral dialogue to establish practical mechanisms for de-escalation.
The clashes, the most serious between the two countries since 2011, began following the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May and escalated into sustained exchanges of artillery and small-arms fire. Saturday saw new flashpoints open in Trat province on the Thai coast and Pursat province in central Cambodia, broadening the geographic scope of the fighting. Both sides claim to be acting in self-defence and accuse the other of initiating attacks.
Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations alleged at a Security Council meeting that Cambodian troops had laid landmines inside Thai territory and launched an unprovoked offensive on Thursday. Cambodia, for its part, accused Thailand of deliberate military aggression aimed at expanding its territorial control and called on the international community to condemn the escalation.
The border dispute centres on several undemarcated sections of the 817-kilometre frontier, particularly the area around the Preah Vihear temple. Although the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, Thailand has never fully accepted the ruling, and tensions re-emerged in 2008 when Cambodia sought to register the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sporadic skirmishes since then have claimed dozens of lives.
Analysts note that the conflict, while grounded in local grievances, reflects a broader geopolitical rivalry. Thailand maintains close security ties with the United States and receives American military support, while Cambodia has moved increasingly into China’s strategic orbit. Chinese military infrastructure projects, including reported plans for a naval base near Sihanoukville, have raised regional alarm. The Mekong River—where fighting has now spread—is a key logistical artery for Chinese matériel.
The domestic political implications are also significant. The crisis has triggered a major political upheaval in Bangkok, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned earlier this week following criticism over her conciliatory approach towards Hun Sen, the long-serving former Cambodian premier and father of the current prime minister. Her departure underscored the influence of Thailand’s powerful military, which has taken a harder line and enjoys the backing of the royal palace and Washington.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern. Secretary-General António Guterres, via spokesperson Farhan Haq, condemned the “tragic and unnecessary” loss of life and urged both governments to halt hostilities and pursue dialogue. He added that the UN stands ready to assist in any negotiated settlement.
Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is also engaged in mediation efforts. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has presented a ceasefire proposal which Cambodia has accepted and Thailand says it supports in principle. ASEAN’s involvement could be key to de-escalation, though observers remain cautious about the bloc’s capacity to enforce or monitor any agreement.
The conflict’s timing coincides with broader strategic movements in Southeast Asia. China recently reached new cooperation agreements with Vietnam following the installation of a new, security-oriented leadership in Hanoi. Laos and Myanmar—both with pro-Beijing regimes—remain aligned with Chinese interests. Regional analysts view these developments as part of a long-term strategy by Beijing to erode U.S. influence across the Indo-Pacific.
In Washington, some experts expressed concern over President Trump’s approach. Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies welcomed any progress toward a ceasefire but warned that threatening trade retaliation may undermine long-term diplomatic efforts: “If either country fails to secure a trade deal after agreeing to U.S.-brokered talks, they could interpret it as a betrayal.”
As ceasefire discussions begin, questions remain about whether diplomacy can contain the fighting or whether this latest border flare-up will develop into another protracted conflict—one that, like in Ukraine or the Middle East, may ultimately be shaped less by local dynamics than by the global competition between Washington and Beijing.
