$45 Million to Bolster Fragile Truce: US aid Thailand Cambodia 2026 Details

The United States is putting its money where its mouth is to secure a fragile peace in Southeast Asia. On January 9, 2026, Washington announced a $45 million aid package designed to solidify the truce between Thailand and Cambodia, an agreement personally brokered by President Donald Trump.

US aid Thailand Cambodia 2026: Securing the KL Peace Accords

Michael DeSombre, the US assistant secretary for East Asia, confirmed the funding during high-level meetings in Bangkok and Phnom Penh. The aid is a direct response to the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed last October. According to a senior State Department official, the funds are intended to pave the way for long-term stability in a region scarred by recent border skirmishes.

The financial breakdown includes $20 million to combat drug trafficking and cyberscams, which have turned parts of Cambodia into hubs for global financial fraud. Another $15 million is earmarked for border stabilization to support the 500,000 people displaced by recent fighting, while $10 million will go toward de-mining efforts.

The Trump Factor and Strategic Rivalry

President Trump has frequently cited this mediation as a cornerstone of his foreign policy success, often mentioning his eligibility for the Nobel Peace Prize. While his administration previously slashed foreign aid, this $45 million allocation signals a pivot toward using financial leverage to counter China's growing influence over Cambodia.