Thai Cambodian peace accord may be Trump centric but could prove to be more than just optics
News analysis
Thai-Cambodian ‘peace accord’ may be Trump-centric but could prove to be more than just optics
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alt="Thailands Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul watches as Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Manet and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 26, 2025. Mohd Rasfan/Pool via REUTERS"/>(From left) Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and US President Donald Trump at the signing of the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord” on Oct 26.
PHOTO: REUTERS
alt=avatar-alt/>Philip Wen
ThailandBANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR – If there ever was any doubt over the intended audience for the signing of the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord”, the answer came shortly after Thailand’s royal palace announced the death of the Queen Mother Sirikit
With Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul forced to urgently curtail his commitments at the 47th Asean Summit in the Malaysian capital to attend the queen mother’s funeral procession in Bangkok, backup plans had been in place for Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to deputise if US President Donald Trump was unable to accommodate the signing ceremony
In other words, the attendance of Mr Trump was non-negotiable, and of greater importance than the leader of a country ostensibly putting pen to paper to end military hostilities with a neighbouring country.
That is not to say the outcome was of little substance – quite the contrary. While Mr Trump, the self-styled “president of peace”, was able to partake in a victory lap while soaking in plaudits, the event provided impetus for both the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to meet and consolidate the progress that has
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