Thailand vowed to continue military operations along its disputed border with Cambodia on Saturday. The statement came hours after US President Donald Trump claimed he brokered a ceasefire. Despite the claim, Thai fighter jets struck targets as clashes intensified across border regions.
Read more: Thai-Cambodian border fighting continues despite Trump
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand would fight until threats to its land ended. He said clearly that no ceasefire agreement currently exists with Cambodia. Meanwhile, Trump said both leaders agreed to stop all shooting during Friday calls. However, neither Thailand nor Cambodia confirmed any agreement afterward.
Since Monday, both sides have exchanged heavy weapons fire along the 817-kilometre border. The violence marks the worst fighting since a brief but intense conflict in July. Previously, Trump helped halt that conflict through direct talks with both leaders. Now, he has pushed again to revive the fragile truce.
Read more: Thailand heads to early elections as border violence escalates
Thailand suspended the October ceasefire after a soldier was injured by a landmine. Bangkok accused Cambodia of laying new mines, a claim Phnom Penh strongly denies. On Saturday, Thailand reported clashes across seven provinces involving heavy weapons. Therefore, Thai forces said retaliation became unavoidable.
Cambodia accused Thai forces of striking bridges, buildings, and firing naval artillery overnight. Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia continues to seek a peaceful resolution. He urged the US and Malaysia to verify which side fired first in the latest fighting.