BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says he is prepared to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Thai–Cambodian border conflict, but stressed that any discussion must go through proper diplomatic procedures. He also affirmed he has no concerns about external pressure, insisting Thailand has acted correctly at every step.
Anutin responded after President Trump said during a campaign speech that he intended to call both Thailand and Cambodia to urge a ceasefire. The Thai leader said no such contact had been made so far, noting that calls between heads of government are always pre-arranged.
“If the President of the United States calls, of course we will answer and explain the situation,” Anutin said. “President Trump cannot know the situation better than we do. We will clarify everything.”
Asked whether Thailand would accept a ceasefire proposal if Trump raised it, Anutin said the conflict is a bilateral issue between Thailand and Cambodia. He welcomed any goodwill from international partners but emphasized that “a leader-to-leader discussion cannot simply happen out of the blue — there must be coordination, scheduling, and clear talking points.” He added that if such talks occur, he will involve the Foreign Minister, the Supreme Commander, and the Defence Minister to ensure complete transparency.
Anutin said no other countries have contacted Thailand so far, and any outreach must come through formal diplomatic channels.
Addressing past images of ceasefire MOU signings, he insisted these were not mistakes but genuine efforts to promote regional peace. “We followed every agreed condition without a single violation, while the other side did not,” he said, recalling even authorizing dental treatment for captured Cambodian soldiers at the time.
As for calls for Thailand to return to previous negotiation frameworks, Anutin said any external suggestions must first take into account a full explanation of the current situation.
On domestic criticism that he is giving too much authority to the military, Anutin said decisions in combat zones naturally fall to military commanders. “This is not passing responsibility — it is proper delegation. At times like these, Thai people should be supporting one another,” he said.
He stressed that the current fighting stems from Cambodia’s initial attacks and its failure to comply with the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration. When asked how or when the conflict might end, Anutin declined to give specifics, saying only that national security considerations cannot be publicly disclosed.
“Our duty is to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and territory. That is our goal,” he said. (TNA)
