Thailand “disappointed” with US response to current border clashes

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow expressed deep disappointment with the United States today, saying remarks by the US president on the Thai-Cambodian border situation reflected misinformation, misunderstandings and factual inaccuracies.

Sihasak said at a press briefing this afternoon that Thailand feels compelled to clarify several points raised by the US president, in a post on his X account, following a telephone conversation with the Thai prime minister.

He said that, during the conversation, the US president was informed that it was Cambodia that had violated the ‘joint declaration’ signed in Kuala Lumpur in late October.

Donald Trump told Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that he wishes to see a ceasefire, to which Anutin responded that Thailand was simply retaliating against Cambodian aggression to protect the country and its people.

“First of all, we very much appreciate President Trump’s concern about the current situation and his desire for peace,” Sihasak said, adding that Thailand also desires peace, but peace requires the same level of commitment from Cambodia.

He said that some points raised by Trump did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground and appeared inconsistent with established facts, possibly due to misleading information from certain sources.

Sihasak strongly rejected any suggestion that a series of landmine explosions, which injured Thai soldiers, were “roadside accidents,” as described by Trump in his post, stressing that the incidents were deliberate acts.

“These were definitely not accidents. They were the result of newly laid landmines by the Cambodian side,” he said, noting that there had been seven such incidents, leaving a number of Thai soldiers seriously wounded, with some losing limbs.

He said Thailand regrets and is disappointed that Trump’s remarks could affect public sentiment in Thailand, given the long-standing alliance between the two countries.

“Thailand is the United States’ oldest treaty ally in this region and a major non-NATO ally. We have stood shoulder to shoulder through many challenges in pursuit of peace and stability and our relationship is built on shared security interests,” Sihasak said.

Thailand is particularly troubled by statements suggesting that a landmine blast that seriously injured Thai soldiers was an accident, stressing that the incident was “clearly caused by Cambodia’s laying of new landmines”.

He also said that, during his attendance at a meeting of the Ottawa Convention in Geneva recently, he presented evidence, including photos, videos and supporting documents, which proved that the landmine explosions were not “roadside accidents,” as Trump had claimed.

The foreign minister also cited a fresh escalation on Friday morning, when Cambodian forces fired BM-21 multiple-launch rockets into civilian areas, injuring four civilians.

Sihasak rejected claims that Thailand’s response was excessive, saying it was a proportionate and a defensive reaction to Cambodian military action.

“I do not believe Thailand’s response was excessive. It was a precautionary and defensive military operation,” he said.

Addressing Trump’s call for the use of satellite technology to verify responsibility for the clashes, Sihasak said Thailand had no

objection and welcomed transparent fact-finding mechanisms.

“If satellite technology is used to verify the clashes, it should also be used to establish the facts regarding the planting of new landmines,” he said, adding that Thailand remains committed to transparency.

Beyond the military conflict, Sihasak said Thailand faces additional cross-border security threats, including online scams and human trafficking operations based along the border, affecting victims both in the region and wider afield.

He noted that Thailand will host a high-level meeting on December 17th, to strengthen international partnerships in combating cybercrime and online fraud.

On trade, Sihasak welcomed Trump’s support for keeping tariff negotiations at the working level and separate from the border dispute.

“Trade talks should focus on mutual economic benefits and should not be linked to the current situation along the Thai-Cambodian border,” he said.

The foreign minister also expressed concern for the safety of nearly 7,000 Thai nationals currently gathered at the Poipet border crossing, seeking to return home due to security concerns.

Thailand had hoped to reopen the border from 1pm to 4pm on Friday on humanitarian grounds, but Cambodia postponed the reopening without explanation and suspended all cross-border travel, he said.

“This constitutes a violation of international humanitarian and international human rights laws, particularly the principles governing freedom of movement,” Sihasak said.