Thailand, Cambodia Declare Ceasefire in Border Conflict after Trump Intervenes

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from midnight tonight,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday. Deadly clashes broke out on Thursday along the disputed border between the southeast Asian neighbors, and it only ended after both the U.S. and China brought pressure to bear. While the conflict underscores the reality that the world is growing increasingly dangerous, the speedy solution suggests strong U.S. leadership can effectively act to keep the peace.

It’s unclear which side started the fighting that has killed 38 people and caused hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee. Both sides blame each other for starting the fighting and escalating it (Thailand has launched airstrikes, while Cambodia has fired rockets).

Sadly, the fatal conflict has no better reason than pagan idolatry. Thailand and Cambodia dispute control over Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple dating from the Khmer empire in the 11th century, as well as other Hindu and Buddhist sites along the 508-mile-long border. The religious sites have inspired nationalistic passions in both countries, meaning that neither government has domestic permission to back down.

Thailand and Cambodia fought once before over the border region, in a series of clashes between 2008 and 2011 that resulted in 34 dead. The most recent clashes are already more deadly.

Fortunately, quick intervention by international powers brought a quick end to the fighting. At the urging of both China and the U.S., Thai and Cambodian leaders met in Malaysia to hammer out a ceasefire. The two sides still engaged in active fighting on Monday morning before they finally agreed to a midnight ceasefire. It’s unclear whether the ceasefire established any further agreement or will lead to any deeper peace; it seems that more powerful nations simply compelled the combatants to separate.

For its part, Chinese diplomats attended the ceasefire talks as observers. China is the largest trading partner for both nations, and it also operates a naval base in Cambodia.

The U.S. is also a major trading partner for both countries. It has a treaty alliance with Thailand, and the two countries conduct joint exercises. Yet the main pressure Trump exerted to force the two countries towards peace concerns tariffs. Earlier this month, Trump warned both nations that they would face a 36% tariff rate beginning August 1 unless they worked out a trade deal, and Trump threatened that the nations would not receive a trade deal while they were still fighting.

Trump was quick to take credit for the ceasefire. “I have now ended many Wars in just six months — I am proud to be the president of PEACE!” he announced on Truth Social.

“That was going to be a very bad war, and so we’re honored we got involved. It’s essentially settled,” he told reporters in Scotland. “That could’ve gone on for years. Millions of people could’ve been killed. We ended the war — and we’re very happy about it.”

“The United States applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced today in Kuala Lumpur,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added Monday. “President Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict.”

With so many active hot spots around the world, it’s concerning to see yet another border burst into open conflict. This suggests a further fraying of the international order that has established widespread peace since World War II. At the same time, Trump’s quick action and its immediate result — even if aided by China — demonstrate that active leadership by world powers can maintain a measure of peace.

To this end, Christians should pray for our governing officials (1 Timothy 2:2), that they would show energy and forcefulness in seeking peace, and they would have the wisdom to bring it about. Many Christians do pray, and the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire is one indication that those prayers are answered.

AUTHOR

Joshua Arnold

Joshua Arnold is a senior writer at The Washington Stand.

EDITORS NOTE: This Washington Stand column is republished with permission. All rights reserved. ©2025 Family Research Council.

The Washington Stand is Family Research Council’s outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. The Washington Stand is based in Washington, D.C. and is published by FRC, whose mission is to advance faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview. We invite you to stand with us by partnering with FRC.

The post Thailand, Cambodia Declare Ceasefire in Border Conflict after Trump Intervenes appeared first on Dr. Rich Swier.