United States President Donald Trump will activate peace mechanisms between Thailand and Cambodia in Malaysia, marking what he describes as a significant diplomatic victory. The activation will take place at the 47th ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
The peace mechanisms respond to a violent escalation of the border dispute in July 2025, when Thai and Cambodian military forces engaged in five days of intense fighting along their contested frontier. The violent confrontation resulted in loss of life and displaced thousands of civilians living near the border, underscoring the critical need for a diplomatic solution.
Malaysia successfully intervened as a mediator and negotiated a ceasefire that was implemented in late July 2025, bringing an end to the active fighting. Since the truce took effect, the Malaysian government has coordinated ASEAN observer teams that remain deployed along the border to monitor compliance and prevent any violations that could reignite the conflict.
President Trump announced via Truth Social while aboard Air Force One that the peace mechanisms activation would occur immediately upon his arrival in Malaysia. This schedule is designed to accommodate all the international dignitaries expected to attend this historic event, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other ASEAN leaders. Trump also expressed condolences for the recent passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother and stated he would meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister shortly after landing.
The activated peace mechanisms address a territorial dispute spanning more than 800 kilometers of shared border between Cambodia and Thailand, including multiple non-demarcated areas. Recent diplomatic progress includes agreements reached during an October meeting of the Joint Commission in Chanthaburi, Thailand, where both nations committed to advancing boundary demarcation efforts. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has indicated that both countries are close to finalizing a Declaration of Thailand-Cambodia Relations designed to comprehensively resolve the border situation. The dispute has historically centered on ancient Hindu temple sites in the Dangrek Mountains, with previous violence in 2011 near Preah Vihear temple resulting in at least 16 deaths.