Thailand presses new offensive against Cambodia, brushes off mediation push

Thailand’s military has launched a fresh offensive against neighbouring Cambodia, saying it is moving to “reclaim sovereign territory” as fighting along the disputed border intensifies and diplomatic efforts, including those involving US President Donald Trump, fail to gain traction.

Clashes continued into Sunday, a day after Cambodia announced it was closing all border crossings with Thailand. The conflict, rooted in a decades-old dispute over colonial-era boundary lines along their 800km shared border, has already killed at least 25 soldiers and civilians and forced more than half a million people to flee their homes on both sides.

According to Thailand’s Matichon Online, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan said Thai forces had launched a coordinated operation in the coastal province of Trat.

“The operation began in the early morning hours with heavy clashes, conducted under the principles of self-defence according to international law and the preservation of national sovereignty,” he said, adding that Thai troops had “successfully controlled and reclaimed the area, expelling all opposing forces”.

State broadcaster Thai PBS reported that Thai troops planted the national flag in the area after driving out Cambodian forces, while TV 3 Morning News said the army, navy and air force were continuing operations along multiple stretches of the border.

Reports also pointed to ongoing violence elsewhere. Thai media cited “sporadic clashes” in Surin province’s Ta Khwai area, involving both direct and indirect fire as well as drone attacks.

Cambodia has not yet issued an official statement on Sunday’s fighting. However, the Cambodian news site Cambodianess reported attacks in at least seven locations, including in Pursat province, where Thai forces allegedly used F-16 fighter jets to bomb the Thma Da commune. Artillery fire was also reported hitting Boeung Trakoun village in Banteay Meanchey province.