BANGKOK, THAILAND – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed support for Thailand’s demining efforts and confirmed that ongoing trade consultations would remain independent from border disputes with Cambodia.
Late-night message from Government House
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted his statement on Facebook at 1:44 a.m. on 16 November 2025, describing a phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held late on 15 November. Anwar had just spoken with President Donald Trump regarding Washington’s position on Southeast Asian border stability.
“President Trump agrees with my position that demining is a crucial part of the jointly signed agreement. He asked the Thai government to accelerate the work as soon as possible due to the great danger for civilians.”
said Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand.
No link between customs and border declaration
According to Anutin Charnvirakul, President Donald Trump clarified through Anwar Ibrahim that trade negotiations would not be connected to the suspension of Thailand’s border declaration with Cambodia.
“The United States will not link Thailand’s suspension of the border declaration to the customs talks.”
said Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand.
Border tensions and landmine accusations
The statement followed escalating incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border. On 10 November 2025, Thailand suspended implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration dated 26 October 2025, which had been mediated by U.S. officials. The decision came after a landmine explosion in Sisaket Province seriously injured two Thai soldiers.
Thai defense investigators, joined by ASEAN inspection teams, confirmed that the mines had been recently planted, violating the ceasefire terms. Phnom Penh rejected the accusation and claimed that Thai artillery fire on 12 November 2025 killed one Cambodian civilian and injured three others. Cambodia evacuated residents near Prey Chan and requested ASEAN mediation.
Historic disputes and fragile calm
The current dispute builds on unresolved boundaries stemming from colonial-era treaties and long-standing conflicts over the Preah Vihear temple area. The International Court of Justice confirmed Cambodia’s sovereignty over the site in rulings from 1962 and 2013.
Earlier in May 2025, fighting reignited in the so-called Emerald Triangle, leading to a five-day clash in July that killed 38 people and displaced over 300,000 residents. A U.S.-brokered truce in late July restored temporary order.
Economic stakes and internal challenges
Thailand’s annual exports to the U.S., valued at roughly 50 billion USD, risk import tariffs of 19 percent if no trade resolution is reached. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in office since September 2025, sought to reassure the domestic audience that trade and border negotiations remain separate matters.
Next steps for regional diplomacy
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited new ASEAN observers to review the affected zones in Sisaket and adjacent Cambodian provinces. The National Security Council in Bangkok planned additional meetings in the coming week.
An independent regional expert based in Bangkok assessed that the American position could ease tensions but warned about the persistent danger in border areas.
“As long as both sides focus on diplomatic solutions, there is reason for optimism – but the minefields remain a real danger.”
said a regional security analyst in Bangkok.