File photo

 

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to mediate the renewed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which has escalated following a fragile truce brokered in July. The phone intervention comes as fighting reaches its third day, raising concerns over escalating tensions.

 

In an interview, Thailand's Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, expressed doubts about negotiations, suggesting the border situation was not conducive to third-party mediation. Conversely, an adviser to Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, indicated Cambodia’s willingness for dialogue. Trump's past claims of easing global tensions include disputes like those between India and Pakistan, and now he turns his attention to Southeast Asia.

 

Trump has maintained communication with leaders from both countries since the initial violent clashes in July, which caused at least 48 casualties. Despite his previous mediation efforts, Sihasak voiced opposition to Trump’s tariff threats as a means of bringing Thailand to negotiation. Current unrest followed an incident in which a Thai soldier was injured by a landmine allegedly laid by Cambodia—a claim Cambodia denies.

 

Recent reports indicate escalating casualties: Cambodia’s Defence Ministry cited nine civilian deaths and 20 injuries, whereas Thailand reported four soldier fatalities and 68 injuries. Thailand’s military aims to incapacitate Cambodia’s military strength long-term. Simultaneously, Cambodia accused Thailand of targeting civilian areas—an accusation Thailand refuted.

 

Hostilities have intensified, with Cambodian rockets hitting Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province, a facility previously damaged during July’s conflicts. Additionally, Cambodia has withdrawn from the 2025 SEA Games, citing concerns over athlete safety, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Trump plans a phone intervention in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
• Thailand doubts successful negotiations, Cambodia open to talks.
• Escalating tensions result in casualties and SEA Games withdrawal.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-11

 

 

 

A few thoughts as an American expat in Thailand who represents the strong majority of Americans that now oppose Trump. 

Of course, I am very unhappy about any kind of armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

Of course I support any sincere international efforts to try to mediate between the two sides towards peace.

HOWEVER, with Trump there are some big problems.

Trump has ALREADY taken credit for "ending" this local what he calls a war.

He accomplished this non-accomplishment by using big stick TARIFF TRADE WAR threats against both sides.

In reality, a president of the U.S. imposing tariffs without congress is ILLEGAL.

Now he is trying that game again.

Some might say, well that's OK, the threats of illegally using increased tariffs is for a good cause -- PEACE.

But people should look at this another way.

Talking about Thailand specifically, Trump doing this is stepping on the sovereignty of Thailand.

Whether the Thais are right about this conflict or not (frankly the issues are too arcane for me to have an informed opinion about that) doing that invites HOSTILITY by both the government of Thailand and proud nationalist Thai people.

It pushes Thailand away from the USA long term and towards China.

To what effect? So that Trump can amass more "wins" for the real Peace Prize that he's never going to win anyway.

If fits a disgusting pattern by Trump that is without any doubt going to make America less great, less successful, and less wealthy -- trashing traditional allies.

Probably worth a new topic -- but personally I have noticed an increase of negative reactions from Thais upon learning my nationality. I don't know if that is anecdotal or related to Trump's bullying actions. 

Good luck to the King of negotiated peace. Lets hope he can sprinkle his magic peace dust around like a rotund orange fairy. But mainly the Thais and Cambodians have to be jai yen yen and not start getting all shooty with each other after Trump goes elsewhere delivering peace. 

The Cambodians need to be beaten into such a defeat that they dare not act out again.

I really don't know what the thought process is over there, they know they can't possibly 'win' anything so why do they persist?

Who's actually in charge over there giving the orders?

The end of the Hun era is required and that should be the goal but I suspect there's a lot more to it than we're being allowed to know.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

If fits a disgusting pattern by Trump that is without any doubt going to make America less great, less successful, and less wealthy -- trashing traditional allies.

Yes Trump couldn’t care less about traditional US allies. Look at his treatment of Canada etc. He’s the fat narcissist numpty in the class that everybody couldn’t stand. 
While Cambodia needs its arse kicked for flaring it all up, Thailand should be the adult and not overreact to everything like it always does. Kids all around in this whole thing. 

Trump is the pidgeon playing Chess, strutting all around, claiming to be the winner, while doing nothing but sh!tting all over the chessboard.
Didn't he already take credit for ending this conflict a few months ago?
Could it be that he lies?

Project Nail Your Feet To The Floor in full effect.

 

Are you going to still travel between these regions like you used to?

 

Better quit hittin that snooze bar homes.

Yet another failed Trump venture to add to the rapidly growing list of Trump's failures.

On 12/10/2025 at 12:36 PM, webfact said:

In an interview, Thailand's Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, expressed doubts about negotiations, suggesting the border situation was not conducive to third-party mediation. Conversely, an adviser to Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, indicated Cambodia’s willingness for dialogue. Trump's past claims of easing global tensions include disputes like those between India and Pakistan, and now he turns his attention to Southeast Asia.

And Sihasak´s doubts are well grounded. Moreover, Cambodia is showing willingness for a dialogue!!??? Really, if want to solve anything and want peace4, why in the world attack Thailand from start? 

At last, Mr. Trump can keep his nose in his own country. He has enough to deal with there that he already <deleted> up all by himself. We don´t need his slimy arse here. No need for him to <deleted> up more places in the world. He should learn to be domestically faithful to his cause of derailing the US.

The only third party that could fix this is China.

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Talking about Thailand specifically, Trump doing this is stepping on the sovereignty of Thailand.

 

Yeah, Trump, mind your own business. Just because you carry the biggest stick in the world, and therefore are probably the only person who could effect peace between two warring countries -- you need to be sensitive to sovereignty issues. So, let the Thais and Cambodians blow each other up; same with Ukraine and Russia. You're embarrassing America by butting in. Besides, all this bloodshed is enhancing my stock in the American arms industry. 

28 minutes ago, JimGant said:

 

Yeah, Trump, mind your own business. Just because you carry the biggest stick in the world, and therefore are probably the only person who could effect peace between two warring countries -- you need to be sensitive to sovereignty issues. So, let the Thais and Cambodians blow each other up; same with Ukraine and Russia. You're embarrassing America by butting in. Besides, all this bloodshed is enhancing my stock in the American arms industry. 

Awful comparison.

In that big war he's actively working for Putin.

8 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Good luck to the King of negotiated peace. Lets hope he can sprinkle his magic peace dust around like a rotund orange fairy. But mainly the Thais and Cambodians have to be jai yen yen and not start getting all shooty with each other after Trump goes elsewhere delivering peace.

 

The bombs, shells and rockets flying hither and thither across the border, worse than before, are what the region has to show for his last "sprinkling" you silly ****.

 

 

Thank God Trump is stepping in to talk some sense into these poor excuses for leaders.

 

Cambodia has asked for talks, but Thailand is not agreeing.

 

 

9 hours ago, ukrules said:

The Cambodians need to be beaten into such a defeat that they dare not act out again.

I really don't know what the thought process is over there, they know they can't possibly 'win' anything so why do they persist?

Who's actually in charge over there giving the orders?

The end of the Hun era is required and that should be the goal but I suspect there's a lot more to it than we're being allowed to know.

 

There is a decided inequality of force/capability, and consquent hopelessness for gain, on the Cambodian side.

 

Qui Bono?

 

 

Trump's negotiation will consist of, "Instead of fighting over the border areas, just hand that land over to America and we will dig its minerals."

6 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

Trump is the pidgeon playing Chess, strutting all around, claiming to be the winner, while doing nothing but 

… pushing pawns about like they were kings & queens. Sorry to crop your post, but thought this fit better. 

2 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

There is a decided inequality of force/capability, and consquent hopelessness for gain, on the Cambodian side.

 

Qui Bono?

 

 

False premise.

 

Evidence; USA getting its arse shot up by every "piss ant" country it has taken on for the past 75 years.

Lol, even Cambodia has whipped thier bloated sad arse.

 

"Superior weaponry", for sure.

No brains, no stomach for casualties, zero understanding of either thier enemies or the country the are fighing in - and always fighting a different style of war other than the one needed to win.

Look at thier shocking record and let that sink in. 

 

USA proves - definitively - that military might is NOT the deciding factor.

Thier famed military/industrial complex should be renamed from the Merchants of Death >> to the Merchants of Defeat.

 

 

9 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

Trump is the pidgeon playing Chess, strutting all around, claiming to be the winner, while doing nothing but sh!tting all over the chessboard.
Didn't he already take credit for ending this conflict a few months ago?
Could it be that he lies?

 

Yes he did take cedit months ago for ending this conflict but in reality he has no understanding whatever what the conflict is all about.

 

I wonder how many Thais / Cambodian / others know the truth.

 

Several respected Thai history professors have mentioned in the uni lounge discussions that when the borders between Thailand and Cambodia were marked for ownerhip there was a section which wasn't marked becase at that time where the border should be marked could not be determined, complicated by the nearby location of several temples.

 

And It's remained like that ever since - unresolved. 

Trump's peace role appears to be a jigsaw piece in a wider strategy of the USA re-establishing itself as a dominant power in the region after a strengthening economic and diplomatic performance from China.

 

There is an alternative view that the USA through its National Endowment for Democracy and other institutions has fomented the conflict with Uncle Hun Seng in the first place to grow its influence in client regimes and keep China in check. The ring of containment is tightening from Japan to India.  It looks like that a Chinese plan to carve a canal from the Mekong through Cambodia to the sea, by passing Vietnam, is going no where.

 

It sure will be interesting to watch Thai diplomats and its military deal with this polarising political situation. My sympathies are with the poor people in the border areas and the soldiers now made to risk life and limb for a modest existence.

Don't care whos trying to encourage peaceful settlement. That is only a good thing.. anyone bitching, being political about whether its the UN, Trump or anyone else calling for peace cares nothing for the people getting hurt or killed.

 

Go look in the mirror, either you support peace regardless whos calling for it or your part of the problem.

He's busy stealing oil

 

https://globalnews.ca/news/11572270/us-oil-tanker-venezuela/

 

Maybe 🇨🇦 should worry....

But he stopped the war and he's too busy being a pirate lately 🙄

On 12/11/2025 at 7:31 AM, FolkGuitar said:

Didn't he already take credit for ending this conflict a few months ago?
Could it be that he lies?

No.... Thailand and Cambodia lie about peace deals...

they sign up then go back to fighting.

Best thing is let them slog-it-out, until they get bored.

Trump might want to wait for the outcome of the second Sunday in February 2026. His endeavours might bear more fruit after the next election - possibly. Quite obviously it is not possible with the present leadership trying to hide domestic rows in politics by this ridiculous kindergarten rattling of the Cambodian cage. 

Having said that, it might be a good idea to kick the Cambodian stools of power, be it the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister or the Senate President - all within the same family name to facilitate matters 😎😎😎😎

22 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The only third party that could fix this is China.

I doubt that, the Thai military have said that they want to degrade Cambodia's military to the extent that this can't happen again. I live about 30 km from the border and the Thai artillery is firing non stop, it sounds like thunder and even from this distance it makes my windows vibrate. I must say that the Thais are very well organized, our mayoress has told us to register with her office to receive expenses and inconvenience money should we feel the need to evacuate. Nobody wants to leave as the barns are now full of rice from the harvest and there is fear of theft if they leave. Apart from school closures village life remains normal, we do our Tai chi exercises to the sound of gunfire.

On 12/11/2025 at 2:58 AM, Jingthing said:

A few thoughts as an American expat in Thailand who represents the strong majority of Americans that now oppose Trump. 

Of course, I am very unhappy about any kind of armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

Of course I support any sincere international efforts to try to mediate between the two sides towards peace.

HOWEVER, with Trump there are some big problems.

Trump has ALREADY taken credit for "ending" this local what he calls a war.

He accomplished this non-accomplishment by using big stick TARIFF TRADE WAR threats against both sides.

In reality, a president of the U.S. imposing tariffs without congress is ILLEGAL.

Now he is trying that game again.

Some might say, well that's OK, the threats of illegally using increased tariffs is for a good cause -- PEACE.

But people should look at this another way.

Talking about Thailand specifically, Trump doing this is stepping on the sovereignty of Thailand.

Whether the Thais are right about this conflict or not (frankly the issues are too arcane for me to have an informed opinion about that) doing that invites HOSTILITY by both the government of Thailand and proud nationalist Thai people.

It pushes Thailand away from the USA long term and towards China.

To what effect? So that Trump can amass more "wins" for the real Peace Prize that he's never going to win anyway.

If fits a disgusting pattern by Trump that is without any doubt going to make America less great, less successful, and less wealthy -- trashing traditional allies.

Probably worth a new topic -- but personally I have noticed an increase of negative reactions from Thais upon learning my nationality. I don't know if that is anecdotal or related to Trump's bullying actions. 

I totally agree with you and am American but am ashamed to Amit this and often tell others who ask that am from Canada.  Haven’t been back to the US since 2019 and have no plans to return.  Going on 13 years now in Thailand and loving every bit of retirement.

2 minutes ago, pchansmorn said:

I totally agree with you and am American but am ashamed to Amit this and often tell others who ask that am from Canada.  Haven’t been back to the US since 2019 and have no plans to return.  Going on 13 years now in Thailand and loving every bit of retirement.

After Trump's first win I started telling people I was from New York.

 These two videos sum up Trump's skill sets and self-deception quite nicely:

John Cleese

 

 

Shane Gillis

 

 

 

 

 

 

i think many people see a link in heightened tensions with Cambodia as some political game - played by wannabe politicians.....if that's the case - shining a spotlight on the miscreants should have them scuttling off to some dark corner...there must be no invisible hands - this is so unbelieveably important - i would ask khun Abhisit to contact GCHQ in UK for any pointers through official channels....just in case there is a secret group doing deals with cambodia ...