A group of Cambodian students, monks, and citizens has appealed to United States President Donald Trump to press the Thai government to release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers, withdraw its forces from Cambodian territory, and fully respect a recently agreed ceasefire.
The Cambodia Daily reports it has obtained a letter describing the suffering of Cambodian civilians who say they have been under threat from Thai forces since the outbreak of fighting on July 24, 2025.
According to the letter, Thai aircraft have dropped cluster bombs from F-16 fighter jets on homes, schools, pagodas, and ancient Khmer temples more than one thousand years old, causing widespread destruction. Many villagers living along the border have fled to safer areas.
The letter also claims Thai forces captured 20 Cambodian soldiers on July 29 after luring them into what was presented as a gesture of reconciliation. Only two soldiers have since been returned under circumstances described as irregular. Eighteen others remain in detention in Thailand.
The appeal to Donald Trump also calls for Thai troops to withdraw vehicles, fortifications, and other equipment allegedly deployed inside Cambodian territory.
On August 20, Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nong Sakal expressed deep gratitude to Donald Trump for initiating the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. He said Phnom Penh also welcomed Washington’s continued active involvement in addressing the border conflict.
Meanwhile, Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata told reporters that Cambodia remained committed to constructive and honest cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN member states, and international partners, including the United States and China. She stated that the government aimed to ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire and resolve disputes peacefully, in line with international law, the United Nations Charter, and ASEAN’s founding principles.
However, on the same day, Thai state media quoted Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as rejecting proposals to deploy additional international observers to monitor the truce along the frontier.
In contrast, Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim responded to Thailand’s position by stressing that deploying more observers was intended solely to safeguard security and stability in the region, not to interfere in domestic affairs.
