Thailand-Cambodia conflict: Bangkok 'disappointed' by Trump's statements

Thailand has expressed its disappointment following Donald Trump's statements deemed inaccurate regarding the border clashes with Cambodia.

On Saturday, December 13, during a press conference, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow expressed his deep disappointment towards the United States.

He stated that the statements of the US President on the situation at the border between Thailand and Cambodia reflected incorrect information, misunderstandings, and factual inaccuracies.

Just like Trump's announcement of a ceasefire was inaccurate, fighting continues between the two neighbors.

See: Thailand–>Cambodia: fighting continues, no ceasefire

Trump's message posted on Truth Social

Photos of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, US President Donald Trump, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

“This morning, I had an excellent conversation with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet regarding the regrettable resumption of their long-standing conflict.

They agreed to immediately cease hostilities and return to the initial peace agreement concluded with me and them, with the support of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The improvised explosive device that killed and injured many Thai soldiers was accidental, but Thailand nevertheless responded with force.

Both our countries are ready for peace and the resumption of trade exchanges with the United States of America.

It's an honor for me to work with Anutin and Hun to resolve what could have escalated into a major war between two otherwise prosperous and harmonious countries!

I also want to thank the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, for his valuable assistance in this capital matter. »

Clarification from Thailand

The Thai Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, at a press conference on December 13, 2025. Photo: Thai PBS World

Sihasak stated that Thailand felt obliged to clarify several points raised by the US President in a message posted on his Truth Social account, following a telephone conversation with the Thai Prime Minister.

He said that during this conversation, the US President was informed that it was Cambodia that had violated the "joint statement" signed in Kuala Lumpur at the end of October.

Donald Trump told Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that he wanted to see a ceasefire, to which Anutin replied that Thailand was only responding to Cambodian aggression in order to protect the country and its people.

“First of all, we very much appreciate President Trump's interest in the current situation and his desire for peace,” Sihasak said, adding that Thailand also wanted peace, but that it required the same level of commitment from Cambodia.

He said that some points raised by Trump did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground and seemed inconsistent with established facts, possibly due to misleading information from certain sources.

Sihasak firmly rejected any suggestion that a series of landmine explosions, which injured Thai soldiers, were “road accidents,” as Trump described in his message, stressing that these incidents were deliberate acts.

“It was definitely not an accident.

They were the result of newly laid landmines by the Cambodian side,” he said, noting that there had been seven such incidents, leaving a number of Thai soldiers seriously injured, seven of whom lost limbs.

He added that Thailand regretted and was disappointed that Trump’s remarks could affect public opinion in Thailand, given the long-standing alliance between the two countries.

“Thailand is the oldest US ally in this region and a major non-NATO ally.”

We have gone through many trials together in the pursuit of peace and stability, and our relationship is based on common security interests », said Mr. Sihasak.

Thailand is particularly troubled by statements suggesting that the landmine explosion that seriously injured Thai soldiers was an accident, stressing that the incident was « clearly caused by the laying of new landmines by Cambodia ».

He said that during his recent participation in a meeting of the Ottawa Convention in Geneva, he presented evidence that proved that the landmine explosions were not « road accidents », as Mr. Trump had claimed.

In particular, photos, videos and supporting documents.

See: Mines: Thailand unveils new damning evidence against Cambodia

The Foreign Minister also mentioned a new escalation on Friday morning, when Cambodian forces fired multiple BM-21 rockets at civilian areas, injuring four civilians.

Mr Sihasak rejected accusations that Thailand's response was excessive, stating that it was a proportionate and defensive reaction to Cambodian military action.

"I don't think Thailand's response was excessive.

It was a preventive and defensive military operation", he said.

Responding to Hun Manet's call for the use of satellite technology to verify responsibility for the clashes, Sihasak said Thailand had no objection and welcomed transparent fact-finding mechanisms.

"If satellite technology is used to verify clashes, it should also be used to establish facts regarding the laying of new landmines," he said, adding that Thailand remained committed to transparency.

The other threat: fraudulent call centers

Cambodian flag and call center. Illustration: The Nation Thailand

Beyond the military conflict, Mr. Sihasak said Thailand faced other cross-border threats to its security.

Notably online scams and human trafficking operations based along the border, affecting victims in the region and beyond.

See: Cambodia: Atrocious death of a Thai tortured in a call center

He stated that Thailand will host a high-level meeting on December 17 to strengthen international partnerships in the fight against cybercrime and online fraud.

According to several analysts, the resumption of the conflict between the two countries could be linked to these fraudulent call centers.

See: Cambodia provokes Thailand to protect its scam centers

Continuation of tariff negotiations between Thailand and the United States

American customs duties for Thailand. Illustration: The Nation Thailand

In terms of trade, Mr. Sihasak welcomed Mr. Trump's support for maintaining tariff negotiations at the operational level and independently of the border dispute.

"Trade negotiations should focus on mutual economic benefits and not be linked to the current situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia," he said.

7,000 Thai nationals stuck in Cambodia

Thai nationals returning from Poipet, Cambodia, wait to go through reception and control procedures at the Khlong Luek border checkpoint, in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo, on December 11. Photo: First military region

The Foreign Minister also expressed concern for the safety of nearly 7,000 Thai nationals currently gathered at the Poipet border post, who are seeking to return home for security reasons.

Thailand had hoped to reopen the border from 1 pm to 4 pm on Friday for humanitarian reasons, but Cambodia postponed the reopening without explanation and suspended all cross-border movements, he said.

“This constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly the principles governing freedom of movement,” said Mr. Sihasak.

See also:

Is it safe to travel to Thailand despite the conflict with Cambodia?

Thailand-Cambodia: ceasefire collapses, fighting resumes

Thailand-Cambodia crisis: alert on a major economic impact

Source: Thai PBS World