Cambodia - Thailand continue border clashes after Trump's phone call

Cambodia and Thailand continued to engage in hostilities along their shared border today, despite President Donald Trump's earlier phone call with leaders of both nations regarding a ceasefire.

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia persisted from last night into today, despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire agreement following his phone calls with the prime ministers of both nations.

The Thai army reported that in Trat province, its artillery targeted positions in Cambodia's Koh Kong province, south of Pursat, before requesting air support. Clashes involving mortars and infantry weapons also occurred in this area from about 2:00 AM on 13/12.

At 6:00 AM today, the Thai air force deployed two F-16 fighter jets to bomb the strategically located Chai Chum Nea bridge in Thmor Dar, Pursat province. This action followed intelligence from naval forces indicating that "Phnom Penh's troops and heavy weaponry were advancing towards the border."

Chai Chum Nea bridge in Pursat province, Cambodia, bombed by the Thai air force on 13/12. Khmer Times.

The F-16 fighter jets circled the target two times before carrying out three bombing runs. The Thai air force reported the bridge was partially destroyed.

Cambodia refers to this bridge as Me Teuk (Victory bridge). The Cambodian army stated that Thai F-16 fighter jets continued air strikes this afternoon with the aim of "completely destroying" the bridge.

Images released by Cambodian media showed one span of the Me Teuk bridge completely collapsed after multiple Thai air strikes. By 4:30 PM, Thai F-16 fighter jets continued to bomb targets in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province.

One bridge span completely collapsed after a Thai air strike. Khmer Times.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected Trump's statement that Thailand had agreed to a complete ceasefire with Cambodia.

"Thailand will continue military actions until there is no longer a threat to our territory and people. I want to make that clear. Our actions this morning have conveyed this message," Anutin emphasized.

Thai Defense Minister Nattapon Nakpanich stated that the government had not issued any ceasefire order for the armed forces. "I confirm that there will be no ceasefire until the Cambodian side stops all hostile actions against Thailand," Nattapon said today.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed that Phnom Penh always adheres to peaceful measures to resolve disputes. He also requested the US and Malaysia to use their intelligence gathering capabilities "to verify who fired first" when clashes re-erupted on 7/12.

As fighting intensified today, the Cambodian government announced a complete suspension of all cross-border activities at all border checkpoints with Thailand, following a recommendation from Senate President Hun Sen.