"Thailand agrees in principle to the establishment of a ceasefire", the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X on 26/7.

The announcement came after a post by US President Donald Trump, in which he said he had spoken with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai about the tensions. He said the two sides agreed to meet to "quickly agree" on a ceasefire.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the phone call between President Trump and acting Prime Minister Phumtham, emphasizing "Thailand wants to see sincere goodwill from Cambodia" regarding the ceasefire.

The Ministry added that Phumtham had asked Trump to "convey to the Cambodian side that Thailand wants to hold bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to establish ceasefire measures and procedures, as well as to resolve the conflict peacefully".

Military trucks carrying Royal Thai Army soldiers in Si Sa Ket province, 26/7. Photo: AFP

Military trucks carrying Royal Thai Army soldiers in Si Sa Ket province, 26/7. Photo: AFP

Tensions related to the territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand erupted into conflict on 24/7 and escalated with shelling and attacks, killing a total of 33 people on both sides.

After an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on 25/7 in New York, Cambodia's ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said his country wanted an "immediate ceasefire" and a peaceful solution to the dispute.

Both countries reported clashes on 26/7 in the coastal border area on the Gulf of Thailand, about 250 km southwest of the main hotspot. Cambodia accused Thai forces of firing "5 heavy artillery shells" into Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province.

The conflict has displaced more than 138,000 people from Thailand's border areas and more than 35,000 from their homes in Cambodia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern and called on both sides to "immediately agree to a ceasefire" and hold talks to find a lasting solution.

Vu Hoang (From AFP)