In a significant diplomatic breakthrough witnessed by President Donald Trump, Thailand and Cambodia have formally signed an expanded ceasefire agreement, aiming to solidify peace along their troubled border. The agreement, concluded on Sunday during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The ceasefire deal builds upon a previous truce reached three months prior, after President Trump directly contacted both leaders, reportedly warning that trade negotiations with the United States could be suspended unless hostilities ceased. This move highlighted the Trump administration’s increasing use of economic leverage to foster stability in the region.
The announcement was made shortly after Trump arrived at the summit, where he also unveiled new US trade initiatives: a bilateral trade deal with Cambodia and a separate minerals agreement with Thailand, according to BBC. Trump emphasized the importance of commercial ties in promoting regional peace.
The ceasefire terms stipulate that Thailand will release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers while both sides will start withdrawing heavy military equipment from the border zone. According to Trump, these economic pacts demonstrate the United States’ commitment to using trade as a diplomatic tool to ensure long-term peace between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
Speaking during a live broadcast on his official Facebook page ahead of the signing ceremony in Malaysia, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that although the declaration had not been ratified by Parliament, it had been approved by the Cabinet. He outlined the four main components of the agreement: (1) withdrawal of heavy weapons, (2) landmine clearance, (3) suppression of scam-related crimes, and (4) establishment of a framework for joint border area management.
The Prime Minister clarified that Thailand would neither open border checkpoints nor concede territory, and that the 1:200,000 map would not be used in any context. The process will begin with Cambodia’s initial actions, after which Thailand will assess progress and determine next steps in alignment with both nations’ interests. The agreement, he explained, will move beyond symbolic commitments to practical cooperation between the two governments.
Reiterating Thailand’s peaceful position, the Prime Minister said that Thailand is a peace-loving nation, but Thais are never afraid to defend their country. He praised the dedication of the Thai government, Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in paving the way for the upcoming declaration, and reaffirmed his confidence that Thailand will not be placed at a disadvantage. The signing will be witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of the United States, reflecting international support for the peace process.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Thailand will safeguard its sovereignty and national dignity. He stressed that Thailand has never agreed to use the 1:200,000-scale map, instead adopting a policy of utilizing modern technology as much as possible in addressing border matters. He urged the public to have confidence that within a few hours, the Peace Declaration will be signed — not as a ceasefire agreement, but as an accord that will pave the way toward peace between the two nations.
