Thailand on Sunday announced a curfew in its southeastern Trat province as fighting with Cambodia continued along the coastal areas of a disputed border region.
The longstanding border dispute escalated
on July 24 as Cambodia launched a barrage of rockets into Thailand, which responded with air strikes. Both have accused each other of starting the air strikes.
Since May 2025, the two countries have seen repeated fighting along the border. Heavy clashes were reported in July, November and again in December, despite earlier ceasefire attempts. These clashes have taken place even after previous US-brokered agreements failed to hold.
Previously, US President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes, following talks.
Later, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand has denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said its military operations will continue along the disputed border.
On Sunday, Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri announced the curfew and later told a press conference in Bangkok that “overall, there have been clashes continuously” since Cambodia again reiterated its openness to a ceasefire on Saturday.
Reuters quoted him saying Thailand is open to a diplomatic solution but “Cambodia has to cease hostility first before we can negotiate”.
According to Reuters, Thailand’s curfew covers five districts of Trat province that neighbour Koh Kong, excluding the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The military had previously imposed a curfew in the eastern Sakeo province, which remains in force.
On Saturday, Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to keep fighting “until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people”.
The Thai forces said they had destroyed a bridge that Cambodia used to deliver heavy weapons and other equipment to the region and launched an operation targeting pre-positioned artillery in Cambodia’s coastal Koh Kong province.
Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thailand of striking civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson said Trump expected all parties to honour commitments and that “he will hold anyone accountable as necessary to stop the killing and ensure durable peace”.
