KUALA LUMPUR: US President Donald Trump hailed a “historic victory for peace” as the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia signed an expanded ceasefire agreement on Saturday, formally ending long-standing border tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
The signing ceremony, held on the sidelines of President Trump’s five-day visit to Asia, was attended by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The agreement, described by all parties as a landmark step toward lasting peace, includes provisions for disarmament, prisoner exchanges, and the restoration of border cooperation.
“We stopped the war between Thailand and Cambodia,” President Trump declared at the ceremony. “Both sides have agreed to end the tension, and 18 Cambodian prisoners of war will be released as part of this peace process.”
The Thai Prime Minister announced that his government would promptly begin removing weapons and freeing prisoners of war in accordance with the new terms. He also revealed that Thailand and Cambodia had signed a joint statement to develop a framework for reciprocal trade, aiming to conclude negotiations by the end of the year.
“This is not just a peace agreement, it is the foundation for shared prosperity,” the Thai leader said, accentuating that the framework would strengthen economic ties and rebuild trust between the two nations.
President Trump praised the agreement as “a milestone that will save millions of lives” and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting peace in Asia. He noted that the United States would continue to “monitor the ceasefire agreement between Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia” to ensure its full implementation.
“I like stopping wars,” Trump said. “In the past eight months, we’ve helped end eight conflicts through trade and diplomacy. This is the kind of progress the world needs.”
Trump also referenced broader peace efforts in the region, citing the swift end of the Pakistan – Afghanistan conflict and commending Saudi Arabia for its “important role” in supporting dialogue. He described the Prime Minister and Field Marshal of Pakistan as “great personalities” contributing to regional stability.
The ceasefire signing marked a significant highlight of President Trump’s first official visit to Asia since assuming office. He arrived in Kuala Lumpur earlier in the week, where he was welcomed by the Malaysian Prime Minister before attending the ASEAN Summit.
Following his engagements in Malaysia, Trump is scheduled to visit Japan and later travel to South Korea for talks with the Chinese President. The White House said the trip underscores the administration’s “renewed commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“I am proud of the steps taken to ensure peace in this region,” Trump concluded. “Today, we have shown that peace through partnership is possible.”