BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand and Cambodia have formally begun efforts to rebuild trust and peace along their shared border, even though no direct bilateral meeting took place between their leaders during the recent Kuala Lumpur summit.
No private meeting despite regional summit
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul clarified upon his return from Malaysia that he had not held one-on-one talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet. The pair were both present at a multilateral event focused on regional peace, where the so‑called Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord was signed in the presence of ASEAN leaders and visiting U.S. President Donald Trump.
Anutin said the absence of a bilateral discussion did not delay the peace process, which he insisted would begin “immediately.”
Commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord
Under the newly announced accord, Thailand agreed to release 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, withdraw heavy weaponry from border zones, and cooperate on joint land‑mine clearance to protect civilians. The agreement also establishes an ASEAN observer team to monitor compliance and calls on both sides to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
Anutin described the accord as an important starting point toward stability, urging both governments to act swiftly on its provisions. Military units from both nations were already coordinating on initial steps to implement the agreement.
Cautious tone on future relations
While optimistic about renewed cooperation, the Thai premier was careful not to declare the end of the conflict. “Several steps must still be taken before relations can truly improve,” he told reporters, adding that Cambodia’s fulfillment of commitments would be closely evaluated before Thailand adjusted its own stance.
Asked whether the accord signaled full normalization, Anutin said the process would depend on both countries’ adherence to the agreed terms.
Diplomatic outreach to the United States
During the same trip, Anutin also met with U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking support in trade and tariff discussions. He extended an official invitation for the president to visit Thailand—an event that, if confirmed, would mark the first such visit by a U.S. leader in a decade. Trump reportedly expressed openness to the proposal.
Analysts noted that the combination of expanding ties with Washington and initiating peace with Cambodia could boost Thailand’s diplomatic profile at a sensitive moment for regional security.
Next steps
Anutin said he planned further talks with Hun Manet to ensure proper enforcement of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord. “Each country must move forward quickly so the situation can progress toward peace,” he stressed. While the framework for reconciliation is in place, observers say real progress will hinge on consistent follow‑through from both governments.