Fresh cross-border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia broke out on Sunday hours after US President Donald Trump announced the two Southeast Asian nations had agreed to ceasefire talks.

The latest flare-up started on Thursday, with intense fighting spreading across multiple border areas. Early Saturday, Thailand’s navy joined the army in repelling what it described as incursions by Cambodian troops at three points in eastern Trat province.

China has blamed “Western colonialists” for ongoing clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border that have left at least 15 people dead and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh have been fighting over territory disputed since colonial power France drew the border between them more than a century ago.

Thailand favours bilateral negotiation rather than third-party mediation to resolve its military conflict with Cambodia, two Thai officials said, as fighting along their disputed border continued unabated.

Thailand bombed Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets on Thursday, as relations between the two countries imploded following clashes on a disputed border near the Emerald Triangle.

Tensions have bubbled between the two neighbors for months, flaring on Thursday as Cambodia and Thailand exchanged fire.

Four dead as Tropical Storm Wipha tears through Thailand, China and into Vietnam - Heavy rain in China's eastern province of Shandong kills two people and leaves 10 missing