President Donald Trump just notched a major diplomatic victory that might keep Southeast Asia from descending into turmoil.
After a brutal week of border violence between Thailand and Cambodia, Trump revealed on Friday that both nations have committed to stopping all gunfire, reinstating a peace deal he facilitated earlier this year with Malaysia’s help, Breitbart reported.
The conflict kicked off in November when a landmine explosion wounded Thai soldiers on border patrol, setting off a chain of blame and counter-blame between the two sides.
Thailand accused Cambodia of planting the deadly device, though Cambodia denied any involvement, and Trump later suggested the incident was unintentional.
That didn’t stop Thailand from launching punishing airstrikes on Cambodian targets, claiming they were safeguarding their future by diminishing their neighbor’s military power.
Cambodia shot back with accusations of Thai aggression, deploying more forces to the border while thousands of civilians on both sides abandoned their homes to escape the violence.
By last Sunday, the situation worsened as both countries traded accusations over small arms and mortar attacks across the border.
On Thursday night, heavy gunfire and shelling broke out, while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the dramatic step of dissolving parliament, blaming the border crisis amid mounting domestic challenges.
Anutin’s rivals in the People’s Party scoffed at his reasoning, charging his government with evading responsibility and taunting him online with, “See you at the polling station.”
Amid the spiraling conflict, Anutin appealed to Trump for assistance, maintaining that Thailand was merely responding to provocation and demanding Cambodia withdraw troops and clear landmines as a peace prerequisite.
Trump, after discussions with leaders from both nations, called the talks constructive, zeroing in on halting what he termed a regrettable resurgence of their age-old feud.
“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” Trump announced on Truth Social, heralding a path back to calm.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also stepped up, advocating for restraint and dialogue as ASEAN chair, with a special meeting planned to further ease tensions.
Trump underscored the role of American economic influence in pushing for peace, noting both nations’ eagerness for stability and sustained trade with the U.S.—a reminder that shared prosperity often trumps ideological grandstanding.
While the ceasefire offers hope, the fragile balance along the border serves as a stark warning that lasting peace requires more than words—it demands trust, something in short supply after weeks of bloodshed.
