Thailand’s leader delivered a defiant message on Saturday — the fighting will go on.
As fighter jets struck targets along the disputed border with Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made it clear that Thailand is not backing down, even hours after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he had brokered a ceasefire.
In a Facebook post, Anutin said Thailand would “continue to perform military actions” until the country no longer faces threats.
“Our land. Our people,” he stressed.
“There must be no more harm.”
Trump earlier said he had spoken with Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, claiming both sides agreed to “cease all shooting.” But on the ground, the sound of gunfire told a different story.
Thailand denied that any ceasefire was in place.
“I want to make it clear,” Anutin said firmly.
“Our actions this morning already spoke.”
Neither leader mentioned any truce after their calls with Trump. And as clashes continued, the White House offered no immediate response.
Cambodia, for its part, struck a calmer tone.
In a separate Facebook statement, Hun Manet said his government remains committed to a peaceful resolution, in line with an agreement reached last October. Still, the fighting has only intensified.
Since Monday, Thai and Cambodian forces have exchanged heavy-weapons fire at multiple points along their 817-kilometer border — marking the most serious violence since a deadly five-day clash in July. That earlier conflict was halted only after Trump personally intervened.
But the fragile peace did not last.
Thailand suspended the truce last month after a Thai soldier lost a limb to a landmine — one of several Bangkok claims were newly planted by Cambodia. Phnom Penh strongly denies the accusation.
On Saturday, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said clashes erupted across seven border provinces, forcing Thailand to retaliate after Cambodia allegedly fired heavy weapons.
Cambodia countered with its own claims, accusing Thai forces of striking bridges and buildings overnight and launching artillery from a naval vessel.
Anutin also rejected Trump’s suggestion that the landmine blast was accidental.
“That was definitely not a roadside accident,” he said.
As tensions rise, Hun Manet said he has asked the United States and Malaysia — a longtime mediator — to use intelligence resources to determine which side fired first in the latest round of violence.
For now, the ceasefire Trump spoke of exists only in words.
On the border, the fighting continues — loud, unresolved, and dangerously real.
