Another Trump-brokered Ceasefire Unravels As Thailand Carries Out Air Strikes Against Cambodia

Thailand has carried out airstrikes against Cambodia after fierce fighting broke out along the two countries’ disputed frontier, casting doubt over a peace plan overseen by US President Donald Trump only two months earlier.

Both governments blamed each other for the renewed clashes on Monday (December 8, 2025) morning, amid escalating tensions and the stalling of a ceasefire deal previously hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) said its strikes were aimed solely at military sites – including weapon depots, command hubs and supply routes – which it described as “direct threats”. Cambodian officials denied any aggression, accusing Bangkok of spreading “false information” and breaching peace agreements.

Why did the Thailand-Cambodia fighting erupt now?

Thai officials claimed the raids were launched in retaliation for an attack earlier on Monday that killed a Thai soldier and wounded two others. Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the strikes targeted arms positions near Chong An Ma Pass after artillery and mortar fire hit Anupong Base.

The Thai army also alleged that Cambodian forces initiated attacks around 3 am. Cambodia’s defence ministry rejected the claims, insisting that it remained committed to international law and previous accords. In its own statement, the Cambodian army accused Thai troops of provoking clashes for days and carrying out an assault at around 5.04am.

What has been the impact on civilians?

Around 70% of Thai civilians have reportedly been evacuated from communities close to the border. Authorities confirmed one civilian death during the evacuation, attributing it to a pre-existing medical condition. There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties from Cambodia.

The border region has seen repeated flare-ups in recent decades, though the latest hostilities are among the most intense in years. Both sides traded accusations over who initiated the fighting, reviving fears of further instability.

What happened to the peace agreement?

In late July, Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire after a five-day border conflict that killed dozens and displaced nearly 200,000 people. Trump held calls with the two leaders and later attended an expanded ceasefire signing in Kuala Lumpur in October, alongside Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. The event was presented as a diplomatic success for the former president, who has often claimed credit for ending conflicts abroad.

However, relations deteriorated within two weeks. Thailand halted progress on the accord after a landmine blast injured several of its soldiers, and tensions have simmered since. Monday’s exchanges now raise questions over whether the peace deal can be revived or if the border may slide into a wider conflict.

Is this a trend with Trump-brokered ceasefires?

It is worth emphasising that the unfolding collapse of the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is not the only instance of a Donald Trump-brokered truce unraveling.

A similarly fragile pact between Hamas and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza conflict also appears to be crumbling. In both cases, the ceasefires were hailed as major diplomatic achievements, but deep underlying tensions, unmet obligations, and renewed violence have quickly eroded hopes of lasting peace.

In Gaza, the ceasefire deal announced in October 2025 under Trump’s 20-point peace plan included a phased approach: in the first phase, all surviving Israeli captives held by Hamas would be released, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel, and Israeli forces would withdraw to an agreed line — with hostilities to be paused and humanitarian aid allowed in.

Yet almost immediately after the truce began, deadly Israeli strikes resumed. Reports from Gaza said dozens of Palestinians, including civilians, were killed and many more wounded. This reality has cast serious doubt on whether the ceasefire is holding in any meaningful way.