Thailand rules out negotiations; Cambodia says it is ready to talk “any time.”

“Border clashes intensify as both nations accuse each other of targeting civilians.”

Tensions sharply escalated on Wednesday as Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy fire along their shared border, accusing each other of attacking civilian areas. Amid the rising violence, US President Donald Trump said he would make a phone call to stop the fighting and attempt to restore the fragile July ceasefire he brokered.

Violence erupted again on Monday after months of simmering border tensions, leaving both sides blaming the other for provoking the conflict.

No Talks Possible, Says Thailand

Thailand’s Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that he saw “no potential for negotiations”, stressing the environment was not suitable for third-party mediation.

Meanwhile, an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet told that Cambodia remained “ready to talk at any time.”

Trump: “I’ll make a call and stop a war”

Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump referenced several conflicts he claimed to have helped prevent, including between Pakistan and India, and Israel and Iran before turning to the Southeast Asian crisis.

“It started up today and tomorrow I am going to have to make a phone call,” Trump said. “Who else could say I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia?”

Cambodia’s spokesperson Pen Bona said the country’s stance was unchanged: “We want only peace.”
A Thai government spokesperson said he did not know whether the prime minister had spoken to Trump yet.

Civilians Hit as Cross-Border Fire Intensifies

Cambodia withdrew its athletes from the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, citing safety fears.

Thailand’s Claims

• Thailand’s military said BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia landed near Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, forcing evacuations.
• Drone attacks, tanks, and rocket fire were also reported near the contested Preah Vihear temple.
• Thai forces said they destroyed an anti-drone position and engaged Cambodian fighters in a nearby plantation.

Cambodia’s Claims

• Cambodia accused Thailand of using artillery and armed drones to strike Pursat province.
• It said mortars hit civilian homes in Battambang.
• Cambodian officials claimed Thai F-16 jets entered their airspace, dropping bombs near civilian areas.

Both countries reported they had evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents from border regions.

Land Mine Dispute Fuels Tensions

The conflict resurfaced despite a July ceasefire brokered by Trump, which halted five days of heavy fighting that killed at least 48 people.

Last month, Thailand suspended de-escalation measures agreed at an October summit attended by Trump, after a Thai soldier was maimed by a land mine.
Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new mines — a claim Phnom Penh rejects.

Rising Casualty Toll

As of Tuesday night:

• Cambodia reported 9 civilians killed and 20 seriously injured.
• Thailand reported 4 soldiers killed and 68 wounded.

The border confrontation is now one of the region’s most dangerous flare-ups in years.