Thailand, Dec 14 : On Saturday denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said its military operations would continue along the disputed border, contradicting claims earlier made by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking amid ongoing clashes, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said there were no active ceasefire negotiations with Cambodia and that Thailand had not agreed to halt fighting, the Bangkok Post reported.
His remarks came hours after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both sides to stop hostilities from 10 pm on Saturday, following Trump’s announcement that Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to “cease all shooting.”
Neither Anutin nor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet referred to any ceasefire agreement in official statements released after their separate phone calls with Trump.
More than 20 people have been killed in six days of renewed fighting, with nearly 200 injured. Around 600,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the 800-kilometre Thailand–Cambodia border, where tensions revolve around disputed ownership of centuries-old temples, according to Al Jazeera.
Thailand’s clarification followed accusations from Cambodia that Thai forces continued air attacks on its territory hours after Trump’s claim.
“It is likely a misunderstanding,” Anutin said. “There is a lot of communication going on. At this time, there are no ceasefire negotiations, and it is not yet the time for that.”
Thai Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit said no ceasefire order had been issued to the armed forces and that operations would continue until Cambodia “clearly ceases all hostility” towards Thailand.
Anutin said any genuine ceasefire would require a formal proposal from Cambodia and a complete halt to military action. “A true ceasefire cannot be based on verbal announcements or partial suspension while troops remain in position,” he said.
Fighting continued on Saturday, with Thai authorities reporting fresh Cambodian attacks in Ubon Ratchathani province. Four Thai soldiers were killed as troops retook the strategic Hill 677, officials said.
Questioning the ceasefire claim, Anutin said Cambodian forces launched heavy attacks on Saturday morning, with BM-21 rockets landing in civilian areas and causing severe injuries.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform late on Friday, said he had personally brokered an agreement to halt the fighting. He said both leaders had agreed to return to an earlier peace accord with Malaysia’s assistance.
Despite the claim, clashes have continued, with Thai officials reiterating that no ceasefire agreement is currently in place.