Trump Says U.S. Working to Halt Renewed Thai-Cambodian Border Fighting

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 23, 2025) — President Donald Trump said Thailand has resumed armed clashes with Cambodia and pledged that Washington is working to stop the renewed fighting, as international concern mounts over escalating violence along the two countries’ shared border.

Speaking at the Palm Beach, Florida on Dec. 22, Trump suggested U.S. intervention had helped calm the situation, claiming Washington had played a role in ending several conflicts.

“Thailand is starting to shape up. They started again with Cambodia, but I think Marco, we have that in pretty good shape to have that stopped,” Trump said, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio has since pressed Thailand to recommit to the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, warning that border violence is intensifying.

In a call with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, he urged concrete steps toward de-escalation and full implementation of the U.S.-brokered framework signed in October.

Despite ASEAN’s emergency appeal earlier this week, Cambodia’s defense ministry reported heavy weapons fire from Thai forces early Dec. 23 across multiple provinces, striking civilian areas and religious sites.

Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said Cambodian troops acted in self-defense but vowed to continue protecting national territory.