Border clash Fleeing Thais sceptical of Trump's peace drive

Rangsan Angda and many of his neighbours in border areas of Thailand had already packed their bags, fearing that a ceasefire with neighbouring Cambodia would soon collapse.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe Ubon Ratchathani

The ceasefire deal - brokered by Donald Trump, who proclaimed himself “President of PEACE” after he helped end five days of deadly clashes in July - had seemed precarious from the start. “Both sides are confronting one another all the time,” said Angda, 50.

On Sunday, the announcement he had feared rang out on loudspeakers across his village. For the second time this year, everyone was ordered to evacuate. Families piled into their cars or waited for lifts. For hours they queued on traffic-clogged roads, making their way to stay in temples, schools and government buildings.

More than 500,000 people across Cambodia and Thailand have made similar journeys since the skirmishes broke out on Sunday. No one knows when they can go home. Political instability in Thailand may complicate future negotiations. Last night, the prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said on social media that he was “returning power to the people” with reports suggesting he has requested the dissolution of parliament - paving the way for elections within 60 days.