Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire Talks... Mediated by President Trump

Trump Holds Phone Talks with Leaders of Both Countries

On the 25th (local time), a Cambodian military truck carrying a Russian-made BM-21 rocket launcher was moving near the Odar Meanchey area close to the Cambodia-Thailand border, where armed clashes are ongoing. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News

On July 26 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Thailand and Cambodia, which have been engaged in clashes over a border sovereignty dispute, have agreed to hold ceasefire negotiations. President Trump brokered the ceasefire agreement through separate phone calls with the acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia.

According to AP and CNN, President Trump stated on social media that he had individual phone conversations with the acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and announced that both countries have agreed to begin ceasefire talks.

Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, expressed on social media that he supports President Trump’s immediate ceasefire proposal, while the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on the same day, saying, "We agree in principle to conclude a ceasefire agreement."

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Phumtham Wechayachai, who is serving as acting Prime Minister, asked President Trump to convey to Cambodia our intention to hold bilateral talks as soon as possible in order to establish measures and procedures for a peaceful resolution," and further stated, "We want to see Cambodia's sincere commitment."

Before President Trump’s mediation, Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), also attempted to mediate a ceasefire, but did not achieve significant results. It appears that both countries changed their stance due to President Trump’s pressure that trade negotiations would be suspended if they did not accept the ceasefire mediation.

From July 24, Thailand and Cambodia clashed for three days, mobilizing fighter jets, resulting in the deaths of 33 people, including civilians and soldiers from both countries, and injuring more than 130 people.