Thailand, Cambodia clash despite ceasefire hopes

THAILAND and Cambodia clashed for a fourth day yesterday, despite both sides saying they were ready to discuss a ceasefire after a late-night intervention by US President Donald Trump.

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The Southeast Asian neighbours, popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists, have been locked in their bloodiest conflict in years over their disputed border, with at least 34 people confirmed killed and more than 200 000 displaced.

Both sides said they were willing to start talks to end the fighting, after Trump spoke to their prime ministers at the weekend and said they had agreed to meet and “quickly work out” a ceasefire.

Trump has threatened both nations with eye-watering levies in his global tariff blitz unless they agree independent trade deals.

“When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

But 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.