Trump credited by Cambodian official with brokering ceasefire with Thailand
Lim Menghour, director general of the Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Cambodia's National Assembly, credited former U.S. President Donald Trump with helping secure a ceasefire that took effect at midnight on July 28 after five days of deadly clashes on the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Speaking to ABC News that same day, Lim said Prime Minister Hun Manet accepted Trump's offer to mediate 'immediately' during a phone call and described Trump's intervention as decisive in 'bringing about peace.'
Ceasefire breakthrough
Negotiations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, were led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and included U.S. and Chinese diplomats. The talks produced an unconditional ceasefire that took effect the same night, ending fierce artillery exchanges and airstrikes in Oddar Meanchey and Surin provinces. At least 43 people were killed during the conflict, including civilians and soldiers and more than 300,000 were forced to flee their homes as schools, homes and public infrastructure suffered severe damage.
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Trump warned both sides that U.S. trade talks would end and a 36% tariff would be imposed if hostilities continued. This threat led Thailand to drop its opposition to outside mediation and agree to international monitoring. Following the ceasefire, U.S. Commerce officials confirmed new trade deals with both Cambodia and Thailand were signed just before the August 1 deadline.
Decades of conflict
Tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border have simmered for decades, rooted in competing claims over land and historic temple sites dating back to the colonial era. The most prominent disputes center around areas near Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples. The International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but surrounding land remains contested, fueling periodic confrontations.
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The latest escalation follows years of unresolved border demarcation and a series of military standoffs in the past two decades. Skirmishes broke out in 2008, 2011 and subsequent years, often triggered by troop movements or nationalist rhetoric. The two countries have yet to finalize a mutually accepted boundary for several stretches of their 800-kilometer frontier. Both governments have used the issue to rally domestic support at times of political pressure, contributing to cycles of tension and violence.
Next steps
A General Border Committee meeting is scheduled for August 4 to monitor compliance and address ongoing disputes.
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Thousands of displaced families remain in temporary shelters as schools and infrastructure in border areas await repairs. International relief organizations are delivering aid while foreign diplomats and journalists have visited the region to assess the aftermath and verify adherence to the ceasefire. Analysts caution that unresolved territorial disputes could threaten long-term stability if not addressed through ongoing regional diplomacy.
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