Trump Is Right: Thailand Must Honour Its Commitment to Peace with Cambodia
[Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minster Hun Manet following the signing of the October 26 peace accords in Malaysia. Supplied]
-Opinion-
President Donald Trump’s decision to pressure Thailand to recommit to the Cambodia ceasefire is not only justified — it is essential for stability in mainland Southeast Asia. When the Trump-brokered Joint Declaration was signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, both Cambodia and Thailand pledged to withdraw heavy weapons, cooperate with ASEAN Observers and settle their border dispute through treaty-defined mechanisms and internationally recognised maps. These commitments were voluntary, mutually agreed upon and grounded in decades of established precedent under the 1904 and 1907 Franco–Siam treaties.
Yet only weeks later, Thailand abruptly suspended parts of the agreement, citing unverified allegations and reverting to unilateral interpretations of the border. This sudden reversal has placed the peace process in jeopardy. In this context, Trump’s warning — that US trade talks and tariff concessions would be paused unless Thailand returned to the deal — is not interference but a necessary intervention. By insisting on accountability, the United States is supporting the very framework Thailand itself previously endorsed.
Crucially, the allegations Thailand relied upon, such as claims of newly planted landmines, were made before ASEAN Observers had conducted any investigation. This pattern is familiar: rapid accusations, media dramatisation and political messaging tailored for domestic audiences. But such tactics endanger civilians along the border and create unnecessary escalation.
Cambodia, by contrast, has acted consistently with regional norms. It welcomed ASEAN Observers without restriction, produced verifiable evidence and reaffirmed — publicly and repeatedly — its commitment to the Joint Declaration. It has urged Thailand to follow the same roadmap the two countries agreed to, rather than shifting narratives whenever domestic pressure intensifies.
However, for Thailand, returning to the agreement is not a loss of face. It is an opportunity to reaffirm its traditional role as a pillar of ASEAN stability. Thailand has historically contributed significantly to regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution; honouring the Joint Declaration would reinforce that enduring legacy. A stable, demilitarised border benefits both nations and ensures security for the cross-border communities whose livelihoods depend on trade, freedom of movement and peaceful cooperation.
At the core of the disagreement lies the issue of maps. Thailand continues to rely on unilateral maps that were never recognised by Cambodia or by any international body. These maps contradict treaty-based documents and the principles that have guided the Joint Boundary Commission for decades. No peace process can succeed when one party imposes boundaries defined only by itself. Respecting treaty-recognised maps is not a concession — it is adherence to international law and the obligations Thailand has affirmed through the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and its own signed commitments.
Trump’s pressure matters because it restores balance. It sends a clear message that agreements cannot be disregarded when politically convenient. And it underscores that US engagement in Southeast Asia aims to support peace, not favour one side over the other.
Thailand now faces a pivotal choice. It can return to the Joint Declaration in good faith, work with ASEAN Observers, and reaffirm its regional leadership. Or it can continue relying on unilateral claims that undermine its credibility and destabilize the region. Cambodia has upheld its end of the bargain. For the sake of peace and ASEAN unity, Thailand must now do the same.
Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
