United States President Donald Trump will endorse a peace strategy between Thailand and Cambodia at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, bringing his support to what he describes as a “great peace deal” that he brokered. The endorsement will take place during the 47th ASEAN summit.
The peace strategy comes after violent border clashes erupted in July 2025 between Thai and Cambodian forces along their disputed frontier. The five-day military confrontation resulted in loss of life and displaced thousands of civilians on both sides, underscoring the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to prevent further bloodshed and humanitarian suffering.
Through Malaysian mediation, a ceasefire was successfully negotiated and implemented in late July 2025, effectively halting the fighting. Malaysia has continued to play a central role in maintaining peace by coordinating ASEAN observer missions that monitor the border situation and ensure both nations honor the terms of the truce.
President Trump announced via Truth Social while aboard Air Force One that the peace strategy endorsement would occur immediately upon his arrival in Malaysia. This timing is intended to accommodate all the international dignitaries expected to attend this historic event, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other ASEAN leaders. Trump also expressed condolences for the recent death of Thailand’s Queen Mother and confirmed he would meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister upon landing.
The endorsed peace strategy addresses a territorial dispute spanning more than 800 kilometers of shared border between Cambodia and Thailand, including multiple non-demarcated areas. Recent diplomatic progress includes agreements reached during an October meeting of the Joint Commission in Chanthaburi, Thailand, where both nations committed to advancing boundary demarcation efforts. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has stated that both countries are nearing completion of a Declaration of Thailand-Cambodia Relations designed to comprehensively resolve the border situation. The dispute has historically centered on ancient Hindu temple sites in the Dangrek Mountains, with previous violence in 2011 near Preah Vihear temple resulting in at least 16 deaths and UN Security Council involvement.