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Thailand has imposed a curfew in five districts of Trat province as hostilities with Cambodia extend to coastal regions of a contested border zone, just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both nations had agreed to cease fighting. The ongoing conflicts between these Southeast Asian neighbors have flared several times this year, notably after a Cambodian soldier was killed during an May skirmish, reigniting tensions that have caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands on both sides of the border.
“Clashes have been continuous overall,” stated Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for Thailand’s Defense Ministry, during a press briefing in Bangkok after the curfew was announced. He emphasized that Thailand is receptive to diplomatic negotiations but insisted Cambodia must first cease hostilities before discussions can proceed.
On Saturday, Thai forces reported destroying a bridge used by Cambodia to transport heavy weapons and equipment to the region, while also launching an operation targeting artillery pre-positioned in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province. Cambodia responded by accusing Thailand of striking civilian infrastructure.
The curfew in Thailand is limited to five districts neighboring Koh Kong, excluding the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The eastern Sakeo province remains under an earlier imposed curfew. Since Monday, both nations have exchanged heavy artillery fire along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) border, in some of the most intense fighting since a five-day clash in July that was mediated by Trump and Malaysian officials.
Trump claimed to have spoken with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday, stating that they had agreed to “cease all shooting.” However, on Saturday, Anutin expressed a commitment to continue fighting until the perceived threats and harms to land and citizens are eliminated. A White House spokesperson later indicated that Trump expects all parties to honor their commitments and added that he will hold anyone accountable as necessary to end the violence and establish lasting peace.
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