President Donald Trump has stepped back into the Thailand–Cambodia conflict after reports of renewed fighting threatened a recently signed truce. The White House confirmed on Friday that Trump held phone calls with both governments to prevent further escalation.
The ceasefire, signed during Trump’s Asia tour, had been celebrated as a diplomatic success. But Thailand’s suspension of the agreement after a landmine incident signaled immediate trouble for maintaining peace.
As midweek confrontations intensified, each side claimed the other initiated new attacks. Cambodia reported a civilian death as a result of the latest violence, underscoring the fragility of the situation.
Malaysia — acting as mediator — was also involved in Friday’s discussions. Kuala Lumpur played a leading role in organizing the original peace agreement and continues to facilitate dialogue.
Long-running border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared periodically, but this summer’s outbreak was particularly severe. Five days of intense conflict killed 43 people and displaced nearly 300,000 families before the October truce temporarily halted the fighting.