Why Thailand and Cambodia Are Fighting Again After Trump Ceasefire

Border clashes reignite near disputed Preah Vihear temple, with Thai airstrikes and mutual accusations threatening fragile US-brokered truce from July.

Thailand and Cambodia have resumed intense border fighting despite a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump in July 2025, centered on the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple area. Thai F-16 jets launched airstrikes on Cambodian positions in Preah Vihear province on December 8, followed by tank advances, killing at least one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians per initial reports. Both sides blame each other for violations, with Thailand citing new landmines and artillery threats, while Cambodia decries unprovoked aggression.​

Origins of the 2025 Conflict

Tensions escalated in June 2025 over ownership of ancient temples and surrounding lands, sparking the worst clashes in over a decade on July 24, with artillery duels, air raids, and over 100 combined military and civilian deaths. Thailand reported six soldiers and 13 civilians killed, plus 140,000 evacuations; Cambodia tallied five soldiers and eight civilians dead. The fighting halted fruit imports, soap opera bans, and border closures, rooted in a 1962 ICJ ruling awarding the temple to Cambodia but leaving adjacent areas ambiguous.​

Trump’s Ceasefire and Its Fragility

Trump pressured both nations during a Malaysian summit on July 28, threatening to block trade deals and tariffs unless they ceased hostilities, leading to an unconditional truce hailed as a “miracle” for peace and US economic access. Signed in Kuala Lumpur under ASEAN chair Malaysia, the deal saw Trump boast of resolving one of eight global disputes this year. Yet minor incidents persisted, including a November landmine injuring Thai troops—denied by Phnom Penh—prompting Thailand to suspend implementation amid propaganda wars.​

Recent Escalations and Military Moves

Clashes erupted December 7 with small-arms and mortar fire near Preah Vihear, escalating to Thai airstrikes destroying Cambodian 8th and 9th Infantry Division posts in Ubon Ratchathani. Thailand issued a 6 p.m. ultimatum on December 8 before full-force action, banned drones in border provinces, and urged citizens to flee Cambodia. Cambodia reported Thai tanks targeting temples without response, while Thailand aimed to “cripple” artillery capabilities.​

Regional Reactions and Trump’s Response

The US and ASEAN urge de-escalation, but Thailand rejects third-party mediation, stating “the line has been crossed.” Trump vowed at a Pennsylvania event to intervene via phone calls, leveraging his summer success despite no confirmed contact yet. Analysts note the truce’s economic incentives failed against deep mistrust, with risks of broader spillover amid evacuations and halted trade.