Cambodia and Thailand Sign Historic Peace Deal in Malaysia in Trump’s Presence

Kuala Lumpur: In a landmark breakthrough for Southeast Asian diplomacy, Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday signed a long-awaited peace agreement in Malaysia, officially ending years of border disputes and intermittent military tensions.

The accord, titled the “Cambodia–Thailand Peace Accord,” was signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a high-profile ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, attended by US President Donald Trump, who played a key role in brokering the deal.

The signing event was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim, and witnessed by senior diplomats, ASEAN officials, and representatives from major world powers.

President Trump, who presided over the ceremony, underlined the importance of economic diplomacy as a tool for promoting peace. He announced that the United States had concurrently finalised two agreements—a new trade pact with Cambodia and a strategic minerals partnership with Thailand.

“We do transactions—lots of them—with both nations, as long as they live in peace,” Trump said. “When we make deals, and we see two countries we do a lot of business with, we have to use that business to make sure they don’t get into wars.”

Expressing his gratitude, Prime Minister Hun Manet praised Trump’s “decisive leadership” and “tireless efforts” in facilitating the peace accord.

“No matter how difficult and complex a dispute may be, it must be resolved through peaceful means,” he said, adding that the agreement marked a new era of trust and cooperation between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

Manet also thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for hosting the talks and providing crucial diplomatic guidance throughout the negotiation process.

Echoing his counterpart, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul lauded the U.S. President’s mediation and extended appreciation for Trump’s condolences following the recent passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother.

“This peace agreement gives our people renewed hope for a stable and prosperous future,” Anutin remarked.

The Cambodia–Thailand Peace Accord establishes mechanisms for mutual border security, joint development zones, and the creation of a bilateral peace commission to ensure compliance and long-term stability.

Diplomatic observers have hailed the accord as a major milestone for regional peace and ASEAN unity, potentially setting a precedent for conflict resolution in the wider Indo-Pacific region.

With inputs from IANS