United States President Donald Trump will secure peace arrangements between Thailand and Cambodia in the Malaysian capital, bringing finalization to what he describes as a “great peace deal” that he brokered. The securing will take place during the 47th ASEAN summit.
The peace arrangements respond to a violent escalation of the border dispute in July 2025, when Thai and Cambodian military forces engaged in five days of intense fighting along their contested frontier. The military engagement resulted in casualties and created a displacement crisis as thousands of civilians fled the violence, demonstrating the urgent need for secure peace arrangements.
Malaysia successfully intervened as a mediator and negotiated a ceasefire that was implemented in late July 2025, bringing an immediate halt to the fighting. Since the truce took effect, the Malaysian government has coordinated ASEAN observer teams that remain deployed along the border to monitor compliance and prevent any violations that could reignite the conflict.
President Trump announced via Truth Social while aboard Air Force One that the peace arrangements securing would occur immediately upon his arrival in Malaysia. This schedule 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 passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother and stated he would meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister shortly after landing.
The secured peace arrangements address 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 indicated that both countries are close to finalizing 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.