People flee their homes near the border between Cambodia and Thailand in Oddar Meanchey Province, northwestern Cambodia, on July 25, 2025. Photo: VCG

Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a fourth day on Sunday, despite US President Donald Trump warning them they are risking potential trade deals with the US. The US president said on Saturday the leaders of the two countries had agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire.

Since the armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border areas broke out on Thursday, more than 30 people have been killed from both sides, and more than 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas, according to figures provided by the two countries, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Thailand "agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place" but "would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side."

Phumtham was responding in a Facebook post to a series of social media posts by Trump. Trump said he had spoken to Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and warned them that he would not make trade deals with either if the border conflict continued, according to Reuters.

"Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump wrote as he gave a blow-by-blow account of his diplomatic efforts.

In the early hours of Sunday morning local time, Hun Manet thanked Trump and said that Cambodia agreed with "the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two-armed forces."

A statement from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it wished to see "sincere intention from the Cambodian side," which is similar to what Phumtham said.

However, fresh artillery clashes erupted on Sunday morning near two long-contested ancient temples in the frontier region between northern Cambodia and northeast Thailand that has seen the bulk of the fighting, according to Bangkok Post.

Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Thai forces began attacking areas around the temples at 4:50 am, AFP reported.

Thai Army Deputy Spokesman Ritcha Suksuwanon said Cambodian forces began firing artillery around 4:00 am as the two sides battled for control of strategic positions, according to AFP.

Trump's involvement followed US calls for restraint on both sides. He said he spoke to each leader and relayed messages back and forth. However, Trump offered no details on the ceasefire negotiations he said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to hold.

The US mediation effort is generally aligned with the direction of regional countries, including China and ASEAN members, in hoping that the two countries can swiftly end the conflict and return to the negotiating table, Ge Hongliang, deputy director of the College of ASEAN Studies at Guangxi University for Nationalities, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

At a press conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Thailand and Cambodia are both China's friendly neighbors and important members of ASEAN. Good-neighborliness and properly settling differences serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two sides.

Guo added that we are deeply concerned over the ongoing developments and hope that the two sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultation. Bearing in mind the common interest and concerns of regional countries, China upholds a just and impartial stance. We have and will continue to promote talks for peace in our own way and play a constructive role in promoting deescalation.

China may engage with the two countries through channels such as their embassies in China, Ge said. Based on historical experience, the conflict remains under control, he said.