US President Donald Trump has reached out to both Thailand and Cambodia after a fragile peace agreement showed signs of collapse. Fresh border clashes prompted the White House to initiate the diplomatic calls on Friday.
The truce, co-signed by Trump on October 26, was intended to end months of violence. But Thailand suspended its involvement after a landmine explosion injured its troops, immediately casting doubt on the ceasefire’s longevity.
Reports of new cross-border gunfire emerged midweek. Cambodia confirmed that one civilian was killed, further escalating concerns. Both sides traded accusations, complicating efforts to restore stability.
Malaysia — the key broker behind the original agreement — also engaged in discussions with Trump. The ceasefire was signed in Kuala Lumpur, symbolizing Malaysia’s important role in keeping negotiations alive.
The border dispute, rooted in overlapping territorial claims more than a century old, has repeatedly triggered deadly confrontations. This summer’s fighting killed 43 people and forced roughly 300,000 civilians to flee, demonstrating how volatile the region remains.