From Border Clashes to Diplomatic Breakthrough

The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has once again reached the diplomatic stage — this time under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump, who oversaw the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord at the 47th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia.

Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur, part of his weeklong tour across Asia, included high-profile meetings with ASEAN leaders and the signing of multiple trade and energy agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

The highlight of his brief but symbolic appearance was the Thai–Cambodian peace declaration, an expansion of the July ceasefire that halted five days of violent clashes along their disputed frontier. The deal was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN.

Inside the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord

The joint declaration commits both governments to an “unwavering pledge to peace and security”, reaffirming earlier promises to avoid the use of force and respect each other’s sovereignty.

At the heart of the accord lies a plan for military de-escalation monitored by an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). Both sides agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry from contested zones and restore regular military deployment, under ASEAN’s supervision.

The accord also tackles non-military dimensions of conflict, addressing what leaders called an emerging “information war” between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Both parties pledged to halt the spread of false or inflammatory content and to re-engage through established mechanisms such as the General Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission.

Further, the two countries committed to joint humanitarian de-mining operations — a vital measure given that landmines have caused numerous casualties and reignited past hostilities. Once fully implemented, Thailand has agreed to release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured earlier this year.

Regional and U.S. Reactions

Trump hailed the agreement as a “milestone of peace”, claiming that his administration had prevented the conflict from escalating further.

“This is more important than a round of golf,” he quipped, recalling his decision to intervene while visiting his Turnberry course in Scotland. “Saving people and saving countries — that’s the real game.”

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand praised the accord as “a foundation for lasting peace,” while Hun Manet called it “a historic day to rebuild trust.”
Malaysian host Anwar Ibrahim added, “Reconciliation is not a concession — it is an act of courage.”

Regional analysts noted that the accord reinforces the credibility of ASEAN-led conflict resolution, with Malaysia’s diplomatic facilitation emerging as a pivotal factor.

Historical Context: A Century of Dispute

The Thai–Cambodian border, stretching nearly 800 kilometers, has been a source of tension since the colonial-era maps of 1907. The area is dotted with ancient temples, including Prasat Ta Moan Thom, which both countries claim as their cultural heritage.

Recent violence was triggered by a tourism dispute in February, followed by the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May, leading to a troop buildup. The July clashes were the most intense in a decade, reigniting nationalist sentiment in both countries.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions persisted through mine explosions in August and a psychological warfare controversy in October, when Thailand was accused of blasting “ghost sounds” across the border — an act Cambodian officials described as “psychological provocation.”

Can the Ceasefire Hold?

Experts remain cautiously optimistic.
Chheang Vannarith, head of Cambodia’s National Assembly Advisory Council, described the agreement as “a constructive path to restoring normalcy,” noting that Trump’s personal involvement “helped secure political will on both sides.”

However, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, senior fellow at Bangkok’s Institute of Security and International Studies, warned that domestic political interests could jeopardize progress.

“Anutin might exploit anti-Cambodian sentiment for electoral leverage ahead of next year’s polls, while Hun Manet could use nationalist rhetoric to consolidate power,” he said.

Such internal dynamics, analysts argue, underscore the fragility of peace — and the risk that short-term nationalism may override long-term stability.

The Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord demonstrates that ASEAN diplomacy still holds relevance amid growing geopolitical polarization. Trump’s involvement — though controversial — injected momentum into a process that regional actors had struggled to advance for months.

Yet the sustainability of the truce depends less on Washington’s visibility and more on ASEAN’s ability to monitor and enforce compliance. The creation of an ASEAN Observer Team could set a precedent for regional conflict-prevention mechanisms, strengthening Southeast Asia’s collective security framework.

If successfully implemented, the Thai–Cambodian accord could become a model for intra-ASEAN conflict resolution, reaffirming the bloc’s role as an anchor of peace in an increasingly divided world.