Cambodia and Thailand have reached an agreement to address long-standing tensions over their shared border. President Trump, who played a role in mediating the dispute, is taking credit for this diplomatic step, further burnishing his image as a peacemaker.
The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, witnessed by Mr. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This followed a previous ceasefire brokered by the two leaders in July, which ended a deadly five-day conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
Mr. Trump enthusiastically described the new arrangement as ‘the Kuala Lumpur peace accords’ and declared it ‘historic.’ This marks one of the most significant commitments towards peace between the two nations.
However, the path to enduring peace is not without its challenges. Both countries still disagree on the precise demarcation of their border and must navigate strong nationalistic sentiments surrounding the issue. The official document itself reflects this nuance, being described as a joint declaration by the prime ministers on the outcomes of their meeting, rather than a definitive peace deal.
A crucial element of the new agreement involves a mutual commitment to withdraw heavy weaponry from the border region, with monitoring provided by observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Another significant development is Thailand’s pledge to repatriate 18 prisoners of war to Cambodia.
The agreement, finalized during an ASEAN summit, is particularly noteworthy given Thailand’s consistent stance against third-party mediation in the dispute. Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, clarified to reporters that while the United States facilitated the discussions, the negotiations themselves were bilateral.
The latest resurgence of the border conflict on July 24 led to the deaths of at least 40 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Mr. Trump intervened on the third day of fighting, reportedly calling both the Thai and Cambodian leaders to warn that he would halt tariff negotiations if the hostilities did not cease.
Recalling the event on Sunday, Mr. Trump mentioned he was playing golf in Scotland when he made those crucial calls.
“I said: ‘This is much more important than playing a round of golf, so we sat there all day long, making phone calls,’” Mr. Trump recounted. “And it was amazing, the way it came together very quickly.”
He added that he finds such interventions “much more fun than anything” because “you’re saving people and saving countries.”
The ceremonial signing was a major reason for Mr. Trump’s presence at this year’s ASEAN summit. During his visit, he also finalized trade agreements with Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet took the opportunity to remind Mr. Trump that Cambodia had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor Mr. Trump has often expressed a desire for. Mr. Hun Manet conveyed his deepest gratitude for Mr. Trump’s “decisive leadership and steadfast commitment to supporting the lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand.”
He further noted that military commanders from both nations were already discussing the initial phase of heavy weapon withdrawal, signaling Cambodia’s readiness to implement the joint declaration.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also lauded Mr. Trump for his “personal dedication to peace between our two countries.”
“This declaration, if fully implemented, will provide the building blocks for a lasting peace, but more important, it will begin the process of mending our ties,” Mr. Anutin stated.
Mr. Trump repeatedly highlighted his role in the peace process, claiming it was “one of eight wars that my administration has ended in just eight months.” He also criticized the United Nations for what he perceived as its inaction during the summer’s conflict.
However, despite the recent ceasefire, underlying tensions at the border persist.
Thailand and Cambodia have a history of clashes over their approximately 500-mile border, a dispute spanning more than half a century. The core issue lies in a 1907 map created during French colonial rule in Cambodia. Cambodia continues to use this map, while Thailand disputes its accuracy, advocating for a map based on modern topography that it believes more accurately reflects the border.