U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that the United States hopes Thailand and Cambodia will agree to a ceasefire early next week, as the latest round of border clashes between the two countries enters its second week.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington on December 19 (Friday), Rubio said the U.S. is working to urge both sides to reaffirm their commitment to the ceasefire agreement. "We are cautiously optimistic that Thailand and Cambodia can begin a ceasefire as early as Monday or Tuesday of next week (the 22nd or 23rd)," he noted.

A meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers will be held in Kuala Lumpur on December 22, with de-escalating the Thailand-Cambodia crisis as its primary agenda. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to attend. Rubio held a phone call with Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara on the 18th, and he revealed that the U.S. government will hold further discussions with the Thai side over the weekend.

U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. The leaders of the two countries signed the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement" on October 26, witnessed by Trump and Anwar during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

"The two countries have signed written commitments. Those commitments are not being honored today, and each side blames the other," Rubio said on Friday. "So the task now is to bring both parties back to the negotiating table."

Rubio also defended the Trump administration’s diplomatic record, asserting that Trump "did in fact stop the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia"—despite the resumption of hostilities.

On December 12, Trump stated that he had spoken with Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who agreed to a ceasefire starting that evening and to reimplement previously reached peace agreements. However, Thailand denied the claim on the 13th, and border clashes have persisted.

Thai Military Condemns Cambodia’s Indiscriminate Attacks

Separately, Thailand’s Royal Army accused Cambodian forces on Saturday (December 20) of launching indiscriminate attacks on non-military targets along the border, including residential areas, hospitals, and schools.

Royal Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree stated that these actions violate international humanitarian law and global norms protecting innocent civilians.

"The misuse of military weapons has caused extensive damage and suffering to border communities, affecting people’s lives, property, and livelihoods," he emphasized. "Civilians are forced to live in fear as these acts disregard humanitarian principles and civilian safety."

The Thai military reported that approximately 400,000 Thai citizens have been affected by the conflict, with around 30 residential buildings, large areas of agricultural land, and medical facilities targeted. Additionally, the deteriorating security situation has forced many schools to suspend classes, depriving children of their right to education—some students are only able to attend online classes from shelters.

Winthai called on Cambodia to immediately cease all violence against innocent people and abide by international law and humanitarian principles.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that the United States hopes Thailand and Cambodia will agree to a ceasefire early next week, as the latest round of border clashes between the two countries enters its second week.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington on December 19 (Friday), Rubio said the U.S. is working to urge both sides to reaffirm their commitment to the ceasefire agreement. "We are cautiously optimistic that Thailand and Cambodia can begin a ceasefire as early as Monday or Tuesday of next week (the 22nd or 23rd)," he noted.

A meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers will be held in Kuala Lumpur on December 22, with de-escalating the Thailand-Cambodia crisis as its primary agenda. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to attend. Rubio held a phone call with Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara on the 18th, and he revealed that the U.S. government will hold further discussions with the Thai side over the weekend.

U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. The leaders of the two countries signed the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement" on October 26, witnessed by Trump and Anwar during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

"The two countries have signed written commitments. Those commitments are not being honored today, and each side blames the other," Rubio said on Friday. "So the task now is to bring both parties back to the negotiating table."

Rubio also defended the Trump administration’s diplomatic record, asserting that Trump "did in fact stop the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia"—despite the resumption of hostilities.

On December 12, Trump stated that he had spoken with Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who agreed to a ceasefire starting that evening and to reimplement previously reached peace agreements. However, Thailand denied the claim on the 13th, and border clashes have persisted.

Thai Military Condemns Cambodia’s Indiscriminate Attacks

Separately, Thailand’s Royal Army accused Cambodian forces on Saturday (December 20) of launching indiscriminate attacks on non-military targets along the border, including residential areas, hospitals, and schools.

Royal Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree stated that these actions violate international humanitarian law and global norms protecting innocent civilians.

"The misuse of military weapons has caused extensive damage and suffering to border communities, affecting people’s lives, property, and livelihoods," he emphasized. "Civilians are forced to live in fear as these acts disregard humanitarian principles and civilian safety."

The Thai military reported that approximately 400,000 Thai citizens have been affected by the conflict, with around 30 residential buildings, large areas of agricultural land, and medical facilities targeted. Additionally, the deteriorating security situation has forced many schools to suspend classes, depriving children of their right to education—some students are only able to attend online classes from shelters.

Winthai called on Cambodia to immediately cease all violence against innocent people and abide by international law and humanitarian principles.