Thailand reported fighting between the country and Cambodia continues despite US President Trump’s social media post that both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
Thai Defence Ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, briefed the press on the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday after Trump’s post of the ceasefire between the two countries on Friday.
Kongsiri said that Cambodia forces launched a BM-21 barrage in the Ban Nong Ya Kaew border area, resulting in damage to civilian homes on both sides following Trump’s conversation with both leaders.
Thailand fired back at Cambodia’s military targets in self-defense.
He said Cambodian forces utilized suicide drones, BM-21 rocker launchers, and artillery in a corrdinate barrage across the provinces of Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, and Sisaket.
Heavy fire from Cambodia struck Thai territory in Trat province, prompting Thailand to launch defensive measures, he said.
Cambodian forces launched attacks into Thai sovereign territory along the border, Kongsiri added.
Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday, “I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly.”
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed Trump’s claims that the roadside bomb was an accident.
“It’s definitely not a roadside accident. Thailand will continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people. I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke,” Anutin posted on Facebook on Saturday.
Anutin stated that Thailand will “continue military operations until we believe that our land and people are no longer subject to any harm or threat.”
Cambodia’s Information Ministry said Thai forces had struck bridges and buildings overnight and fired artillery from a naval vessel, according to news outlet, Channel News Asia (CNA).
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who had been mediating the Thai-Cambodian alongside the US-brokered ceasefire agreement signed in October, proposed that the warring parties cease hostilities starting Saturday night.
As the rotating chair of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which comprises 10 member states, Anwar posted on Facebook urging both sides to avoid any further military action, including the use of force or the advance of armed forces.
Anwar stated that an ASEAN observer group, led by the Malaysian Chief of Defence Force, would be deployed to the border region, with the US providing satellite monitoring capabilities.
