Trump's Peace Deal Cracks After One Month as Cambodia Claims Thai Occupation

On December 27, 2024, smiles were abundant as Cambodian and Thai prime ministers shook hands at a Trump-brokered ceasefire ceremony. Fast-forward just six weeks, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivers a stark reality check: "Thai forces are still occupying deep into Cambodian territory."

The revelation, made during Hun Manet's first international media interview with Reuters on Tuesday, exposes the fragile nature of what President Trump has repeatedly touted as a diplomatic success.

When Ceasefires Don't Mean Peace

Hun Manet's accusations are specific and damning. Thai troops have installed shipping containers and barbed wire "further beyond even Thailand's own unilateral claim border line," preventing Cambodian residents from returning home. This isn't mere political posturing—it's what he calls "a statement of the facts on the ground."

The stakes are enormous. The 817-kilometer border witnessed the worst fighting in over a decade starting last July, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and disrupting crucial trade routes. An October peace accord signed with Trump and Malaysia's prime minister collapsed within weeks before the December ceasefire was reached.

Thailand maintains its troop positions are "de-escalation measures" and denies occupation claims. But Hun Manet's detailed allegations suggest the gap between diplomatic declarations and ground reality remains vast.

The Technical Solution Nobody Talks About

While Trump's peace board grabs headlines, Hun Manet points to a less glamorous but potentially more effective solution: activating the joint boundary commission (JBC). "The only way to verify that is using the technical mechanism that we have, based on treaties, based on all the agreements we have," he explained.

Thailand had cited its February 8 election as grounds for delaying demarcation work. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rode a wave of nationalism sparked by the border conflict to electoral victory. "Now the election is done," Hun Manet noted, hoping Thailand will "start measuring, start demarcating in the hot zone."

This highlights a persistent challenge in international diplomacy: technical boundary work lacks the photo-op appeal of summit meetings, yet it's often where lasting peace is actually built.

Cambodia's Balancing Act Between Giants

Hun Manet, 48, took power from his father in 2023 and represents a generational shift in Cambodian leadership. A West Point graduate, his ascension alongside Trump's involvement has ushered in warmer U.S.-Cambodia ties after years of drift toward China.

"To choose China or U.S. or U.S. over China, is not our choice," Hun Manet declared, emphasizing Cambodia's sovereign right to maintain relationships with both superpowers. On the Chinese-upgraded Ream naval base that has raised U.S. concerns, he insisted Cambodia has "nothing to hide."

Yet challenges persist. Reporters Without Borders ranked Cambodia 161 out of 180 countries in press freedom, while the U.S. Treasury sanctioned scores of people involved in cyber scam operations based in Cambodia. Hun Manet acknowledged the scam centers exist but argued his government is cracking down, drafting new legislation to address the issue.

The Broader Pattern

This border dispute reflects a broader pattern in Trump's diplomatic approach: high-profile interventions that generate immediate headlines but require sustained, unglamorous follow-through to succeed. The president's newly created Board of Peace, initially designed for Gaza, may take on broader roles—but technical boundary commissions and patient diplomacy rarely make for compelling television.

The Cambodia-Thailand situation also illustrates Southeast Asia's evolving dynamics, where middle powers navigate between U.S. and Chinese influence while managing their own bilateral disputes. Hun Manet's Washington visit signals Cambodia's desire to rebalance its foreign policy, but domestic challenges around human rights and cyber crime complicate the relationship.