BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH – A fragile peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, brokered by United States President Donald Trump in October, has collapsed following renewed violence along the disputed frontier.
The breakdown has reignited tensions that had only recently been subdued after months of deadly clashes earlier this year.
On 12 November 2025, gunfire erupted near Prey Chan village in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, close to Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.
Cambodian officials reported that one civilian was killed and three others injured when Thai forces allegedly opened fire on villagers.
Phnom Penh condemned the incident as “a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Hundreds of residents were subsequently evacuated from the area amid fears of further escalation.
Thailand, however, disputed Cambodia’s account. The Royal Thai Army claimed Cambodian troops initiated the shooting, forcing Thai soldiers to respond with warning fire.
The Thai Foreign Ministry lodged diplomatic protests, insisting its forces acted in self-defence. Officials also pointed to a landmine blast on 10 November in Sisaket province, which maimed several Thai soldiers, as justification for suspending the peace accord.
The Trump-brokered deal, signed on 26 October 2025 during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, was hailed as a breakthrough after five days of fighting in July left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 300,000 civilians.
The agreement sought to establish joint patrols and demining operations along contested stretches of the border. However, implementation faltered almost immediately, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations.
The White House confirmed that President Trump held urgent calls with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul following the latest clashes.
Trump reportedly told reporters, “I stopped a war just today,” claiming his intervention prevented further escalation.
Yet analysts argue the collapse of the accord highlights the limits of external mediation when deep-rooted territorial disputes remain unresolved.
Regional observers warn that the renewed violence could destabilise ASEAN’s broader security framework.
Malaysia, which had acted as a secondary mediator, has urged both sides to recommit to dialogue. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies expressed concern for displaced families, noting that over 250 households from Prey Chan village have already been relocated to temporary shelters.
The situation remains volatile, with both governments trading accusations and mobilising forces along the border.
While Trump’s intervention briefly calmed tensions, the fatal clash underscores the fragility of peace efforts in Southeast Asia’s long-standing border disputes.
