Cease-Fire Renewed Between Thailand and Cambodia
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump announced on Friday that leaders from Thailand and Cambodia have come to an agreement to renew a cease-fire after a series of violent clashes put an earlier peace deal at risk. This cease-fire was originally brokered with U.S. assistance earlier this year.
Trump shared the news via social media following a phone conversation with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“Starting this evening, they’ve agreed to stop all shooting and revert to the initial peace agreement that I, along with the support of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, helped establish,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The President noted that Ibrahim played a significant role in encouraging the two nations to reach this new agreement. “I had the honor of working with Anutin and the Huns to avert what could have escalated into a major war between two incredibly rich countries!” he added.
The original cease-fire in July was facilitated by Malaysia, with Trump applying pressure on Thailand and Cambodia to agree, even suggesting the withdrawal of trade benefits if they refused.
Further discussions took place at a regional meeting in Malaysia in October, which Trump also attended.
However, even with the cease-fire in place, the ongoing propaganda war and minor cross-border skirmishes continued.
The roots of the border dispute trace back to historical tensions over territorial claims, particularly a map from 1907, which Thailand disputes as inaccurate.
Adding to the tensions, the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that granted Cambodia sovereign rights remains controversial among many Thais.
Thailand has conducted airstrikes targeting what it claims are military sites, while Cambodia has employed BM-21 rocket launchers capable of striking at distances between 30 to 40 kilometers.
According to data from public broadcaster PBS, at least six Thai soldiers lost their lives due to rocket fragments from these skirmishes. The Thai military’s Northeastern Regional Command confirmed that some civilian homes near the border sustained damage from Cambodian rocket fire.
In a recent confrontation, the Thai military also reported the destruction of a crane on a hill owned by Cambodia, which reportedly held military command equipment for the centuries-old Preah Vihear temple.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has made bold claims about his role in resolving various conflicts, including the one between Thailand and Cambodia, suggesting this demonstrates his negotiation skills.
He has also expressed a desire to achieve a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. In comments made to reporters on Wednesday, he expressed confidence in his ability to restore peace between the nations, stating, “Every so often, there’s a flare-up, and I have to extinguish that little flame.”
