Trump announces Thailand and Cambodia agree to halt border fighting

The recent clashes stem from a long-standing disagreement over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800 kilometre frontier and have displaced around half a million people on both sides. Both countries had accused each other of reopening hostilities.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he held productive conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. He said the two leaders agreed to cease all shooting from Friday evening and to return to the peace accord reached in July with support from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trump noted that both countries were seeking peace and continued trade with the United States.

After his call with Trump, Anutin said Cambodia would comply with the ceasefire and stressed that the party responsible for violating the agreement should correct the situation. He described his conversation with Trump as positive.

The United States, China and Malaysia had brokered a ceasefire in July after an initial outbreak of violence that lasted five days. In October, Trump endorsed a follow-up declaration between Thailand and Cambodia and highlighted new trade opportunities after both sides agreed to extend the truce. Thailand later suspended the agreement when Thai soldiers were injured by landmines near the border.

In Buriram province, Thai evacuee Jirasan Kongchan said peace should come through direct talks between the two neighbours rather than foreign intervention. He suggested that ASEAN should act if Cambodia violated the peace again. In Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodian evacuee Choeun Samnang said he was pleased to hear about Trump’s call and hoped both countries would remain at peace.

At the White House on Thursday, Trump claimed credit for resolving several conflicts and said he might need to make additional calls to get the situation between Thailand and Cambodia back on track. Anutin said there was no indication that Trump would link future trade talks to the border dispute although the US President had assured Thailand of favourable terms.