BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul intensified his nationalist messaging on Friday, boasting that he told U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Cambodia to halt attacks before calling for a ceasefire, as border clashes between the two countries continued for a sixth day.
Anutin, who dissolved Parliament earlier this week to pave the way for a general election, has been leaning heavily into a hard-line security posture that has energized nationalist supporters online. Their praise has largely overshadowed anger over his government’s widely criticized response to severe flooding in southern Thailand, particularly in Hat Yai.
Speaking at 10 p.m. on December 12, Anutin said his 20-minute conversation with Trump “went well” and that the U.S. leader expressed concern about the escalating conflict and encouraged Thailand to adhere to the Malaysia Joint Declaration governing the border.
Anutin said he told Trump that Thailand had followed the agreement’s conditions “all along,” while Cambodia violated them first. “Thailand had to respond in order to defend its sovereignty,” he said.
The prime minister also said he believed Trump had already spoken with the Cambodian leadership, because it appeared he had received inaccurate information suggesting Thailand was the aggressor for using air power. In reality, he said, Thailand was not the one initiating attacks but was responding.
He stressed that protecting the public remained his top priority and insisted Thailand did not initiate the latest round of fighting. Trump, he added, told him he could call anytime—though he did not provide a direct number. Anutin said a direct line was unnecessary because Thailand could manage the situation and the foreign minister already maintains regular contact with Washington.
Trump urged a ceasefire, according to Anutin. But the Thai leader said he responded by urging the U.S. president to first push Cambodia to halt its attacks. “Don’t just say ceasefire—tell the world that Cambodia will stop firing, withdraw its forces, and remove all the explosives they planted, visibly and completely,” he said. “We have remained still. We have never wanted anything belonging to Cambodia. The party that violated the agreement must correct it—not the party that has been attacked.”
The U.S. previously pressured both nations into a ceasefire following five days of fighting in late July by threatening to withhold trade privileges. With clashes flaring again this week, Trump has reiterated that he intends to mediate and has said he expects to speak with the leaders of both countries by phone.
Should Washington threaten high tariffs on Thai exports as leverage, analysts warn the move could inflict serious harm on an already sluggish Thai economy
__________