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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Thailand is considering tougher measures against Cambodia as renewed fighting continues along their shared border, despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that the two countries had agreed to a new ceasefire.
Thai military officials are weighing restrictions on fuel supplies and maritime movement, with the proposals set to be reviewed at a national security meeting on Monday. Casualties are rising, and civilians continue to flee the conflict zone.
Newsweek has contacted the Thai and Cambodian Foreign Ministries for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
The latest violence highlights the fragility of ceasefire efforts in a long-running and volatile border dispute. Any escalation by Thailand—particularly involving fuel exports or maritime controls—could have significant economic, humanitarian and regional consequences.
The clashes have already displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and provoked competing accusations over attacks on populated areas, raising concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law and the risk of a broader conflict.
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What to Know
“At this time there are no orders on these measures,” said Captain Nara Khunkothom, assistant spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, at a Sunday press conference. He noted that while the military is considering potential escalatory steps but no decisions have been finalized.
The proposals will be reviewed during Monday’s national security meeting, where officials will assess the latest clashes, civilian casualties, and strategic and economic risks before deciding whether to act.
Economic and Strategic Considerations
Among the options under discussion is the suspension of fuel exports to Cambodia, which have already been halted since June. Thailand exported 2.2 billion liters of fuel to Cambodia last year, underscoring the potential economic consequences of a prolonged suspension. Officials are also considering tighter naval patrols and designating waters near Cambodian ports as high-risk zones for vessels carrying strategic materials.
Ceasefire Doubts
The deliberations follow Trump’s announcement that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a renewed ceasefire. Ongoing rocket attacks and shelling indicate the truce may not be holding, prompting Thai authorities to keep contingency plans active.
Escalation Along the Border
The clashes mark a renewed phase in a long-running dispute, which escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May. Fighting has spread along parts of the 817-kilometer border, displacing thousands. Thailand imposed a curfew in Trat province on Sunday after BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia struck residential areas, killing a soldier and a civilian and damaging homes and schools.
Conflicting Claims
Cambodia has accused Thailand of targeting civilian infrastructure, including fighter jets. Bangkok denies the claims, stating that strikes have been aimed solely at military positions. The ongoing exchange highlights the difficulty of verifying incidents amid persistent cross-border hostilities and the growing humanitarian toll.
What Happens Next
With intelligence indicating further rocket attacks are possible and civilians urged to seek shelter, attention is now focused on Monday’s security meeting in Bangkok. Despite Trump’s ceasefire announcement, the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, heightening fears of a broader escalation.
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