Bangkok, December 14 (ANI): Thailand has denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said military operations would continue along the disputed border, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday, contradicting claims by former US President Donald Trump, the Bangkok Post reported.
Anutin, speaking amid ongoing clashes, said Thailand had not agreed to stop fighting and that there were no active ceasefire negotiations with Cambodia at this stage.
His comments came hours after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged both sides to halt hostilities from 10 pm on Saturday and after Trump said Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to “cease all shooting.”
Neither Anutin nor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet mentioned any ceasefire in official statements following their separate phone calls with Trump.
More than 20 people have been killed across both countries in six days of renewed fighting, with nearly 200 wounded. Around 600,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the 800-kilometre Thailand-Cambodia border, where tensions centre on disputed ownership of centuries-old temples, Al Jazeera reported.
Thailand’s clarification followed Cambodian accusations that Thai forces continued air attacks on its territory, hours after Trump’s claim of a cessation of hostilities.
“It is likely a misunderstanding,” Anutin said. “Currently, there is a lot of communication going on. It would be best to listen to the statements from the military. At this time, there are no ceasefire negotiations, and it is not yet the time for that.”
Thai Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit said the government had issued no ceasefire order to the armed forces and that operations would continue until Cambodia “clearly ceases all hostility” toward Thailand.
Anutin said any real ceasefire would require Cambodia to submit a formal proposal directly to Thailand, with a complete halt to military action. “A true ceasefire cannot involve only a verbal announcement or a partial suspension while troops remain in position,” he said.
Fighting continued on Saturday, with Thai authorities reporting fresh Cambodian attacks in Ubon Ratchathani province. Four Thai soldiers were killed as troops retook the strategic Hill 677.
“Is there a ceasefire?” Anutin asked. “This morning, Cambodia launched heavy attacks. BM-21 rockets landed in civilian areas, causing severe injuries and loss of limbs. At this point, should Thailand be listening to anyone else?”
The clashes contrasted sharply with Trump’s announcement late on Friday that he had personally brokered a halt to the fighting. “I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” he added.
Despite Trump’s statement, clashes have continued and Thai officials have maintained that no ceasefire agreement is in place. (ANI)
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