SISAKET: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had spoken to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand and that both countries want an immediate ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace while fighting along their border extended into a third day.

US President Donald Trump said after speaking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand that the two sides agreed to meet and “quickly work out” a ceasefire to end their deadly border conflict. “They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social network during a visit to Scotland.

The remarks came as death toll from the bloodiest fighting between the two nations in years rose to 33.

Earlier, both sides claimed they had acted in self-defence and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations.

Both nations claim deaths of 12 soldiers, 21 civilians so far

There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat Province, a new front more than 100 km from other conflict points along the long-contested border.

As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia, five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

Trump wrote in his initial post: “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am trying to simplify a complex situation!”

Minutes later, he posted: “I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia”.

“After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural,” Trump added.

The Thai and Cambodian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Security Council meeting

Thailand’s ambassador to the UN told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July.

Cambodia has strongly denied the claims.

“Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,” Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand had launched “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” and was mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.

Cambodia called for the international community to “condemn Thailand’s aggression in the strongest terms” and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2025