Trump Takes Credit for Thailand-Cambodia Peace Deal as Malaysia Signing Approaches

President Donald Trump is heading to Malaysia to sign a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, declaring himself the proud broker of what he describes as a “great peace deal.” The signing ceremony will coincide with the 47th ASEAN summit and represents a significant diplomatic milestone for the region.
The peace initiative responds to violent clashes that erupted between Thai and Cambodian military forces in July 2025 over long-disputed border territories. The five-day confrontation resulted in loss of life and forced thousands of residents on both sides of the border to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian emergency that demanded immediate international intervention.
Through Malaysian mediation, a ceasefire was successfully negotiated and implemented in late July 2025, bringing an end to the fighting. Malaysia has continued its peacekeeping efforts by coordinating ASEAN observer missions that monitor the border situation and ensure both nations honor the terms of the truce and refrain from further military action.
President Trump announced his plans via Truth Social while aboard Air Force One, stating that the peace deal signing would take place immediately upon his arrival in Malaysia. This scheduling adjustment is intended to accommodate all the dignitaries attending this historic diplomatic event, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other ASEAN leaders. Trump also expressed sympathy for Thailand following the death of the Queen Mother and confirmed plans to meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister upon landing.
The peace agreement builds on recent diplomatic breakthroughs achieved during a two-day special meeting of the Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for the Land Boundary held in Chanthaburi, Thailand, on October 21-22. During these discussions, both nations reached several key agreements aimed at expediting the land demarcation process along their more than 800-kilometer shared border. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has stated that both sides are moving closer to finalizing a Declaration of Thailand-Cambodia Relations designed to permanently resolve border issues. The territorial dispute has historically centered on competing claims to ancient Hindu temple sites in the Dangrek Mountains, with previous serious violence in 2011 resulting in at least 16 deaths near Preah Vihear temple.