Thailand has agreed in principle to entering a ceasefire with Cambodia and beginning a "bilateral dialogue" aimed at ending the nations' ongoing deadliest fighting in more than a decade.
However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side
Both countries exchanged heavy artillery fire for a third straight day Saturday, as Cambodia has spread its attacks along shared border with Thailand, targeting non-military sites, killings mostly civilians and driving tens of thousands of people from their homes.
"Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place," the foreign ministry said in a statement on X.
That followed a post by US President Donald Trump, who said he had spoken with Cambodian leader Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and that the two sides have agreed to meet and "quickly work out" a ceasefire.
Trump has weighed in by telling both countries’ leaders that "We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting --And I have told them so!,"
Thailand's foreign ministry confirmed a phone call between Trump and Phumtham, and stressed that regarding a possible ceasefire, "Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side."
It said Phumtham requested Trump to "convey to the Cambodian side that Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict."
Meanwhile Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia is willing to discuss a ceasefire to halt its border conflict with Thailand, saying he welcomed a late-night intervention by Trump.
Hun Manet said his foreign minister would talk to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to coordinate with the Thais, but warned Bangkok against reneging on any agreeement.
On Thursday, the UN Security Council held a special session on the Thai-Cambodian situation. UN ambassadors from both countries attended the two-hour meeting to present their perspectives on the current border conflict. The session ended without a resolution.
On his Truth Social account, Trump wrote: “After speaking to both parties, ceasefire, peace, and prosperity seem to be natural. We’ll soon see.”
He added that both countries are eager to return to the “trading table” with the U.S., which, he said, “we think is inappropriate to do until the fighting stops.”
He ended his post: “When all is done, and peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our trading agreement with both.
