Ankara: Thailand and Cambodia Calm has returned to the Thailand and Cambodia border after a conflict spanning 11 days, according to a report from Cambodia media. Border provinces saw calm after 10 pm (1500GMT).
According to Anadolu Agency, Cambodian forces remain at the highest level of alert and are "fully prepared to respond to any artillery attacks or attempted incursions into Cambodian territory, should the situation escalate." However, there was no confirmation from Thailand about calm at the border.
Renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in at least 52 fatalities on both sides since the conflict reignited on December 7. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that a special envoy for Asian Affairs will engage in "a shuttle-diplomacy trip to Cambodia and Thailand in an effort to bridge the two sides to rebuild peace at an early date."
Guo emphasized that China, as a close neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, is actively working to promote peace and de-escalation efforts through its diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Defense Ministry reported that the Thai army carried out artillery attacks and drone strikes in the border region. In response, Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets at Thai positions.
The Thai army acknowledged ongoing intermittent clashes across border areas, involving mortars, tanks, and bomb-dropping drones. Amid reports of Thai forces capturing Chinese-made anti-tank missiles from Cambodian positions, Guo denied any Chinese involvement in the conflict, asserting that China's defense cooperation with both countries does not target any third party and is unrelated to the border conflict.
Recent developments included Thai soldiers capturing the Chong Anh Ma area after heavy fighting. Thailand has stated that Cambodia must be the first to announce a ceasefire to halt the deadly clashes, which have displaced more than 700,000 people on both sides of the border. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo emphasized the importance of specific conditions for any ceasefire and urged Cambodia to cooperate in demining efforts along the border.
Per Thai authorities, 19 Thai soldiers and 16 Thai civilians have been killed, while Cambodia's Interior Ministry reported 17 Cambodian civilian deaths and 77 injuries. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed hope for a swift resolution to the situation, stating that Thailand 'must' take control of Hill 350 near Prasat Ta Kwai in Surin province. Anutin encouraged Cambodia to negotiate.
Despite ongoing clashes, US President Donald Trump previously announced that the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt the renewed fighting. The two countries had signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, this agreement was suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in a border province.
Thai authorities reported that around 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody following incidents in the past five months. The long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has repeatedly resulted in violence, including clashes in July with at least 48 fatalities.