December 14, 2025 | 02:52 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cambodia closed its border with Thailand on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The border closure came after Thailand disputed President of the United States Donald Trump's claim that a ceasefire had been agreed upon with Cambodia.
The latest clashes stem from a long-standing dispute over the delineation of the Thailand-Cambodia border, which spans approximately 500 miles from Laos to the Gulf of Thailand and dates back to the colonial era. This conflict has repeatedly flared up despite previous ceasefires mediated by external actors, including the United States, China, and Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN chair.
As reported by CNA, Cambodia announced the immediate suspension of all movements in and out of the Cambodia-Thailand border. The border closure was implemented after new casualties and amidst allegations that the fighting had not ceased. Cambodian authorities stated that the closure would remain in effect until further notice.
The decision was made in response to sharp contradictions with President Trump's claim. Trump claimed that Bangkok and Phnom Penh had agreed to halt hostilities.
Trump stated on Friday that both sides had agreed to CEASE ALL SHOOTING starting tonight. Both countries were said to be at peace. Trump described his conversation with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet as very good.
According to CNA, Thai leaders openly refuted that a ceasefire had been reached. Anutin reiterated on Saturday that Thailand would continue military operations along the disputed border. He stated that there were no ceasefire negotiations underway. According to Anutin, it was not yet time to declare a ceasefire with Cambodia. He also mentioned that Trump did not raise the issue of a ceasefire during their phone conversation.
Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit reiterated this stance, affirming that no orders had been given to cease operations. Thai forces would continue their military operations until Cambodia unequivocally stopped all hostilities against Thailand.
From the Cambodian side, Hun Manet confirmed that he had discussed a ceasefire with Trump. However, he did not state that an agreement had been reached. Cambodian officials accused Thai forces of continuing air strikes and expanding attacks to civilian infrastructure. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense stated that Thai bombings had not ceased on Saturday.
The death toll continues to rise as the fighting continues. At least 25 people were reported dead this week, including four Thai soldiers who died on Saturday, according to Thai defense officials. Thailand has reported a total of 14 to 15 soldiers dead since the escalation of the fighting, along with seven civilian deaths, hundreds of injuries, and civilians wounded by rockets allegedly launched from Cambodia.
According to Yahoo News, Cambodia reported civilian casualties earlier in the week, stating that Thai fighter jets had attacked a hotel and a bridge, killing civilians and injuring dozens more.
Cambodian officials accused Thailand of targeting civilian areas. Meanwhile, Thai authorities claimed that Cambodian rockets had injured civilians and that the Thai Air Force and Navy had destroyed two bridges used for transporting weapons.
Both governments blamed each other for the renewed conflict. Thai officials stated that Cambodia had violated previous agreements, while Hun Manet insisted that Cambodia had adhered to peaceful ways to settle the dispute.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on both parties to cease cross-border hostilities and proposed the deployment of an ASEAN observer team to monitor the ceasefire. Cambodia welcomed this proposal. However, Thailand maintained that the conditions for a ceasefire had not yet been met.
The humanitarian impact is severe. The violence has led to an estimated half a million to 700,000 civilians fleeing on both sides of the border, prompting mass evacuations and leaving residents unsure about the prospects for peace.
Read: Thailand Denies Trump's Claim of Cambodia Ceasefire Deal
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Thailand Denies Trump's Claim of Cambodia Ceasefire Deal
17 jam lalu
Thailand confirmed on Saturday, December 13, 2025, that four of its soldiers were killed in a recent border clash with Cambodia.
Cambodia Says Thailand Continues Attacks Despite Trump's Call
1 hari lalu
Thailand-Cambodia clashes enter the sixth day with mutual accusations of attacks and increasing casualties despite a phone call from US President Trump.
Malaysia to Convene ASEAN Meeting to Ease Thailand-Cambodia Tensions
1 hari lalu
Malaysia will soon convene ASEAN foreign ministers to ease Thailand-Cambodia tensions, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
SEA Games 2025 Medal Standings Day 4: Indonesia Holds Third Place
1 hari lalu
Indonesia collected 16 medals on the third day of the SEA Games 2025, including seven gold, five silver, and four bronze.
Xanana Gusmao Calls for Proactive ASEAN Amid Thailand-Cambodia Clashes
1 hari lalu
Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao calls on ASEAN to urge Thailand and Cambodia to open up dialogue amid fighting.
Thailand Set for Early Elections as PM Dissolves Parliament
2 hari lalu
Thailand's prime minister announced he was dissolving parliament and "returning power to the people" as he moved to head off a no-confidence vote.
Thailand Moves to Dissolve Parliament Amid Clashes with Cambodia
2 hari lalu
Amid the dispute with Cambodia, the Thai PM dissolves parliament to make way for an early election.
SEA Games 2025 Day 3: Vietnam Passes Indonesia in Medal Standings
2 hari lalu
Indonesia currently sits in third place in the SEA Games 2025 medal standings.
Tensions Escalate as Border Clashes Erupt Between Thailand and Cambodia
2 hari lalu
Renewed clashes have erupted at the Cambodia-Thailand border, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee.
Cambodia Pulls Entire Delegation from 2025 SEA Games Over Security Concerns
3 hari lalu
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia stated that the withdrawal of the SEA Games 2025 contingent was due to serious concerns from the athletes' families.
