Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords Signed, Ending Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A historic agreement aimed at resolving long-standing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia was formally signed on October 26, 2025, during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. U.S. President Donald Trump oversaw the signing of what he termed the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords," taking credit for brokering the deal that followed recent deadly clashes. The agreement is expected to lead to the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since July.

The accord follows a five-day conflict in July that saw significant fighting along the disputed border, resulting in dozens of casualties and displacing thousands. President Trump intervened by threatening higher tariffs on both nations if hostilities continued, leading to an initial ceasefire. Adam Mayer, a traveler in the region at the time, reflected on the situation, stating, "It could have escalated into something much worse, so the White House deserves a lot of credit for brokering a peace deal."

Under the terms of the agreement, Thailand and Cambodia committed to establishing border observer teams, withdrawing heavy weapons from the contested areas, and initiating joint efforts to remove landmines and clearly demarcate their shared frontier. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed enthusiasm for the deal, even nominating President Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Despite President Trump's characterization of the agreement as a "historic peace deal," Thai officials, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, adopted a more cautious tone. They referred to it as a "Joint Declaration of Relations," emphasizing initial steps to de-escalate rather than a definitive resolution to the complex border dispute, which dates back over a century to French colonial mapping. The Thai Prime Minister noted that conditions had been agreed upon, but Cambodia would need to fulfill certain preconditions before full implementation.

The signing ceremony was a centerpiece of President Trump's visit to the ASEAN summit, where he also secured several trade agreements with Southeast Asian nations. The U.S. President highlighted his administration's commitment to global peacemaking, stating that the agreement demonstrated a pursuit of peace "in every region where we can do it." The accord aims to foster mutual trust and prevent future escalations in a region historically prone to such disputes.