Description: Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, signed the extended ceasefire agreement in Kuala Lumpur in a ceremony overshadowed by the US President Donald Trump. Trump, contrary to statements from officials on the Thai and Cambodian side, labeled the document a comprehensive peace agreement which was the result of months of diplomatic work between the US and Malaysia. Under the provisions of the agreement, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to withdraw all heavy weapons from their mutual border, establish a ceasefire monitoring team comprised of ASEAN member countries, the establishment of a joint taskforce for clearing land mines across the border region and tackling proliferation of scam centers. Both countries also agreed to replace missing border markers with temporary ones while Thailand agreed to release the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers. Trump also managed to conclude separate trade agreements placing access to rare earth minerals in exchange for favorable trade conditions for Thailand and Cambodia as the top priority for the US. Thai Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, avoided branding the document as a peace agreement, instead he stated that it was a stable basis for developing long lasting peace between the countries and called it Joint Declaration by the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on the outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Impact: Thailand and Cambodia with the Kuala Lumpur Agreement, officially restored bilateral trust, agreed upon means and methods of de-escalation and established a solid political baseline to conceptualize a final peace agreement. The declaration of peace signed in Kuala Lumpur fails to address integral parts of their century – old border dispute and lacks concrete obligatory mechanisms which would work as negatively consequential towards both countries in case there is potential for violations of the ceasefire. The signing ceremony was a publicity stunt for the US President which basks in positive press coverage and aims to brand himself as a peacemaker as well as elevate his diplomatic image ahead of a crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi. The US exits the process with a handover to Malaysia, which would most probably be responsible in the long – term for ensuring the longevity of the agreement. The trade agreements concluded with Thailand and Cambodia also favor the US, which transactionally inserted itself in the region, exploiting the conflict for the benefit of its national interests.