So Who Is Lying—Anutin or Trump? Or Did They Simply Misunderstand Each Other?

Combination photo of Cambodian PM Hun Manet, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul

W hile Anutin, speaking after his discussion with Trump, stated that if there were to be a request for a ceasefire, it would have to be conveyed to Cambodia first, and only then could matters proceed (as cited by Khaosod). About a little over two hours later, Trump posted on social media shortly after midnight Bangkok time on December 13 (the morning of December 12 in Washington, DC) that the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to “CEASE all shooting effective this evening.”

“This evening,” when accounting for the 12-hour time difference between Washington, DC and Bangkok, would still most likely mean tonight—Saturday night in Bangkok.

Anutin’s messaging to the Thai public could be interpreted as signaling a firm Thai stance: that Trump needed to speak with Hun Manet first before anything could move forward. This played well with ultra-nationalist audiences, earning him full political points—essentially functioning as an election campaign messaging. Trump, however, told a completely different story, like watching two totally different films.

So who is lying? We will likely know by tonight. And the cost of lying—or at least distorting the truth—will be quite high, especially if it is Anutin.

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Later on, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted a message on Facebook at around 4 a.m. today, December 13, 2025, stating that he had spoken with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim.

Contrary to what Trump said, Hun Manet did not indicate that Thailand and Cambodia would return to the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord (KL Peace Accord) this evening. However, he did ask both leaders to use intelligence assessments and satellite information to verify whether Thailand or Cambodia initiated the shootings on December 7.

Below is Trump’s post on Truth Social, followed by Hun Manet.

Trump:

I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter.

Hun Manet:

I had a telephone discussion with H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia on Thursday 11 December and last night, 12 December 2025 with H.E US President Donald Trump to find ways to bring a ceasefire between Cambodia-Thailand and get both sides back to implementing the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.

I thanked both His Excellency for their continuous efforts towards achieving long-term peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia has always maintained its stance in seeking peaceful resolution of disputes, in line with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.

In light of the shooting on the afternoon of December 7, 2025, that led to a resurgence of fighting between the two countries, I have advised that the US and Malaysia military or intelligence agencies can use their intelligence gathering capabilities, such as satellite images taken during and after that, for 24 hours to verify which side fired first. This method may be the easiest and most transparent method to verify the fact. Cambodia is ready to cooperate in case of need.

I had phone conversations with both Prime Minister Anwar of Malaysia on Thursday 11 December and last night, 12 December 2025, with President Donald Trump of the United States, to find ways to have a ceasefire and return to the implementation of Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand.

I thanks both leaders for their continuous efforts to achieve a long-lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia has always been adhering to peaceful means for dispute resolutions, in accordance with the KL Joint Declaration.

Regarding the shooting incident on the afternoon of 7 December 2025, which started this new round of fight between the two countries, I suggested to both leaders that militaries or agencies of United States and Malaysia can use their information gathering capabilities such as satellite imageries recorded during that time as well as for the next twenty four hours after that to verify which side opened fires first. This maybe the easiest and most transparent ways to verify the incident. Cambodia is ready to cooperate in anyway that is needed.