Border Crisis: Cambodia Closes Crossings Amid Ongoing Fighting with Thailand

Sun Dec 14 2025 05:49:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As tensions escalate, Cambodia shuts its border with Thailand. Despite a proposed ceasefire from U.S. President Trump, clashes continue between both nations.

Cambodia has closed its border crossings with Thailand amid ongoing armed conflict, contradicting a ceasefire agreement recently proposed by U.S. President Trump. Fighting persists as both sides exchange artillery fire, leading to multiple casualties. Approximately 700,000 people have been evacuated from the conflict zones, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border.

Cambodia has shut its border crossings with Thailand, as fighting continues between the two forces on Saturday despite US President Donald Trump earlier saying they had agreed to a ceasefire.

The crossings will be closed until further notice, according to Cambodia's interior ministry.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he told Trump a ceasefire would only be possible after Cambodia had withdrawn all its forces and removed landmines.

Thai officials said four soldiers were killed on Saturday, as both sides reported continued bombing and artillery exchanges. Cambodia has not been updating its military casualty figure.

Cambodia's defence ministry reported that Thai fighter jets bombed hotel buildings and a bridge, while Thailand reported several civilians were injured in a Cambodian rocket attack.

The four deaths on Saturday bring Thailand's total military death toll since Monday to 15, with 270 others injured. It added that six civilians had also been injured.

On Friday, Cambodia said at least 11 civilians had been killed and 59 others injured. Approximately 700,000 people have been evacuated on both sides of the border.

Trump had claimed earlier in the week that he could stop the fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces that broke out on Monday just by picking up the phone.

After speaking to both prime ministers on Friday night, he wrote on social media that the two countries had agreed to cease shooting effective this evening and go back to the agreement they signed in front of the US president in October.

During the conversation, Anutin reminded Trump that Thailand was not the aggressor and emphasized that Cambodia must demonstrate withdrawal of its forces and landmine clearance before a ceasefire could be assured.

The Cambodian leadership insisted on continuing to fight to protect its sovereignty.

Both countries have been contesting their 800km land border for more than a century, drawn by French cartographers in 1907 when France had colonial rule in Cambodia.

The border dispute escalated on July 24 as Cambodia launched a barrage of rockets into Thailand, leading to retaliatory air strikes.