By Reuters and published by Yahoo!News
Sisaket/Washington – US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (July 26) that the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace after three days of fighting along their border.
In a series of social media posts during a visit to Scotland, Trump said he had spoken to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and warned them that he would not make trade deals with either of the Southeast Asian governments if the border conflict continued.
“Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace,” Trump wrote as he gave a blow-by-blow account of his diplomatic efforts.
As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.
Following calls for restraint on both sides from Trump’s senior aides, he became directly involved on Saturday, speaking to each leader and saying he relayed messages back and forth.
“They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!,” Trump wrote, saying both countries wanted to get back to the “Trading Table.” He has sought to reach separate deals with dozens of countries in response to his announcement of wide-ranging tariffs on imports to the US.
“When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” Trump said.
He offered no details on the ceasefire negotiations he said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to hold.
The Thai and Cambodian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying.
Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old’s husband stayed behind to look after livestock.
“We got so scared with the sound of artillery,” she said. “But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn’t call him. I don’t know what is happening back there.”
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Asean regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar’s plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle.
“There is still some exchange of fire,” Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister “to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting”.
CAPTIONS:
Top: US President Donald Trump reacts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the southwest coast of Scotland on July 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/ Andy Buchananand published by Aljazeera
Front Page: US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after he arrived at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland, on Friday, July 25, 2025. Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin and published by Indian Express
(Reporting by Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook in Sisaket, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng, Juarawee Kittisilpa and Devjyot Ghoshal in Bangkok, Susan Heavey in Washington and Rozzana Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; Writing by John Mair and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by William Mallard and Matthew Lewis)
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