Asean summit: can the Thailand-Cambodia peace deal hold or will history repeat itself?
Analysts are sceptical over the new deal, citing the ‘shaky’ truce agreement in July, when sporadic clashes erupted hours after its signing
Analysts also note the “conspicuous absence” of China from the arrangement despite its aspirations to be a major regional player.
Known as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, the agreement calls for a demilitarisation of the tense Thai-Cambodia border, expanding on a ceasefire deal reached in July.
It also pledged to end a long-standing border dispute, which erupted again over five days in late July, killing scores on both sides.
At a ceremony with the Thai and Cambodian leaders by his side, Trump, who has touted himself as a global truce-broker, said the agreement showed his administration’s pursuit of peace “in every region where we can do it”.
Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a researcher at the Australian National University, voiced scepticism over the deal, citing the “shaky” previous ceasefire, when there were tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border and Cambodian villagers clashed with Thai security forces.