Military Leadership Orders Troops' Deployment; Warns Both China and U.S. About Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
In a significant development, Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced on Tuesday that the Thai government has reinforced its troops along the Thai-Cambodian border. This decision comes in response to escalating violence and repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement by Cambodia.
The conflict, which intensified in late July 2025, has resulted in over 30 deaths and displaced approximately 200,000 people. The heavy fighting, mainly near disputed temples such as Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear, involved artillery, rocket fire, and Thai airstrikes on Cambodian positions.
Despite a ceasefire being brokered on July 28, 2025, under the mediation of Malaysia and the U.S., including pressure from then-U.S. President Donald Trump linking trade deals to the cessation of hostilities, the ceasefire has not held firmly. Thailand's Foreign Ministry has formally accused Cambodia of initiating the border conflict and repeatedly violating the ceasefire and international law through indiscriminate attacks and misinformation campaigns.
In response, Thailand has strongly condemned Cambodia for starting the fighting and violating the ceasefire terms. The government has also held a significant briefing in Bangkok for diplomatic missions and international organizations, including attendees from 74 countries and 16 organizations; the Cambodian embassy was also represented. This briefing represents a formal appeal to the international community, including powers like China and the United States, for support in condemning Cambodian actions and upholding the ceasefire agreement.
Thailand's Cabinet has reiterated its support for the military's mission to defend the country's territorial integrity. The troops, who will remain in position along the border, have been instructed to safeguard national sovereignty. The deployment is expected to continue until the situation improves.
This situation remains fragile, with nationalist rhetoric high and concerns about further escalation despite ceasefire efforts. The international community, including ASEAN and the UN Security Council, has called for an immediate ceasefire, while the U.S. and Malaysia have played a significant role in brokering the ceasefire and applying diplomatic pressure. Thailand is also pursuing compensation for damages caused by Cambodian actions.
[1] BBC News, "Thai-Cambodian border conflict: What you need to know," 2 August 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58078116
[2] Reuters, "Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating ceasefire, seeks international support," 3 August 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-accuses-cambodia-violating-ceasefire-seeks-international-support-2025-08-03/
[3] Associated Press, "Thai-Cambodian border conflict: ASEAN calls for immediate ceasefire," 26 July 2025, www.apnews.com/article/asean-thailand-cambodia-border-conflict-52587841a6372b8565715a7d
[4] CNN, "Trump links trade deals to Thai-Cambodian border ceasefire," 28 July 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/07/28/asia/thai-cambodian-border-ceasefire-trump-trade-intl/index.html
- The international politics surrounding the Thai-Cambodian border conflict have escalated, with the Thai government seeking support from the international community, including powers like China and the United States, to condemn Cambodia's actions and uphold the ceasefire agreement.
- The Thai government's reinforcement of troops along the Thai-Cambodian border and its call for international intervention has become a significant general-news topic, alongside crime-and-justice issues, as the conflict continues to pose a threat to regional peace and stability.
