Thailand says Cambodia’s moves are key for peace, not Trump’s mediation

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed the need for Donald Trump to mediate a peace deal with Cambodia, distancing himself from the US president’s efforts to win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Mr Trump’s intervention earlier in 2025 helped end a brief but fierce border clash between the South-east Asian neighbours, as he threatened to block US trade deals with both countries if they didn’t halt five days of fighting that killed dozens.

The US president can only be helpful now if he can convince Cambodia to meet Thailand’s demands, Mr Anutin told reporters on Oct 8, when asked about Mr Trump’s reported interest in being at the centre of a peace signing ceremony later in October at a regional leaders summit – the Asean meeting in Malaysia. 

Politico reported earlier this week that Mr Trump wants to preside over a peace-deal signing between the two countries during the summit in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, citing people it didn’t identify. The White House declined to comment. 

“We have already made it clear that if they want to talk to us, or if any negotiations are to take place, they must first fulfil four basic prerequisites before measures can begin from our side,” Mr Anutin said. “We’re neighbours, our countries share a border, while the mediator is all the way over there on another continent.” 

Asked if Cambodia’s nomination of Mr Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize may make him view Phnom Penh more favourably, Mr Anutin said: “I only care about Thailand’s interests, the safety of Thai people, and the nation’s sovereignty.” 

“Anyone winning prizes has nothing to do with what Thailand has to do,” he said. 

Mr Anutin has tapped public anger over the border dispute as his government is heading towards a new election campaign, expected to kick off in early 2026. His predecessor Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted from office over her handling of the issue. 

The US set a 19 per cent levy on imports from Thailand and Cambodia after the ceasefire, lower than the 36 per cent they originally faced. Negotiations over the finer details of the trade deal with Bangkok haven’t been finalised and are expected to conclude by the end of 2025, Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said last week. 

In September, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to gradually withdraw heavy weapons from the border and cooperate on clearing land mines, key steps toward de-escalating tensions. But Thailand said no progress has been made, and Mr Anutin has vowed to not reopen border crossings until Cambodia withdraws weapons and troops to pre-clash positions. 

Thailand has also demanded that Cambodian communities living near the border on Thai territory be relocated back across the border. Bloomberg