As the fight between Thailand and Cambodia continues, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that both sides have agreed to cease all shooting. The caretaker PM said that Thailand has not agreed to stop fighting, and there were no active ceasefire negotiations with Cambodia at this stage.
“It is likely a misunderstanding,” Charnvirakul said on Saturday. He added, “Currently, there is a lot of communication going on. It would be best to listen to the statements from the military. At this time, there are no ceasefire negotiations, and it is not yet the time for that.”
PM Anutin Charnvirakul said that a genuine ceasefire would have to start with Cambodia submitting a formal proposal directly to Thailand, with all military operations fully halted. A true ceasefire cannot involve only a verbal announcement or partial suspension while troops remain in position, he said.
Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit also said that the Thai government has not issued any ceasefire order to the armed forces. He said that they will not halt the military operations until Cambodia “clearly ceases all hostility” toward Thailand.
On Friday, President Trump in a post on Truth Social had claimed that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on a ceasefire. He had posted, “I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.”
Trump further added, “The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter.”
After Trump’s post, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the two sides to end all hostilities starting at 10 PM on Saturday. PM Anwar said that that after speaking with Trump, he held separate calls with Thai PM Anutin and Cambodian PM Hun Manet. He conveyed Malaysia’s deep concern over the situation and urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint, cease all forms of hostilities and refrain from any further military actions, including the use of force or forward movement of armed units.
He also requested the deployment of the Asean Observer Team, led by the Malaysian chief of defence forces, to monitor developments on the ground.
Hun Manet in a statement said that Cambodia had accepted Malaysia’s proposal. But Thailand has confirmed that they have not accepted to any ceasefire.
