Cambodia–Thailand Border Conflict: Donald Trump and Cambodia Truly Want Peace, but Thailand Seeks War

Cambodia–Thailand Border Conflict: Donald Trump and Cambodia Truly Want Peace, but Thailand Seeks War

Although the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict appears calm at the moment, the situation remains fragile, as Thailand’s new Prime Minister continues to escalate tensions, seriously affecting the security and livelihood of innocent Cambodian civilians. Despite international involvement — including direct efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump himself — to help end the war, hopes for peace still seem uncertain.

According to reports from Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected and shown disdain toward the goodwill and peacemaking efforts of the United States. Such behavior not only demonstrates a lack of respect but also reflects arrogance and a false sense of superiority — as if a global superpower like the United States could do nothing to influence him.

President Donald Trump’s intention is to end the Cambodia–Thailand war through peaceful means. This initiative is a commendable and noble step that aligns with humanity’s universal aspiration for peace. It also reflects his strong sense of responsibility as a true peacemaker, worthy of recognition such as the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, Thailand has been perceived as an uncivilized nation that seeks to destroy peace and provoke wars with its neighbors — particularly with Cambodia — using every deceitful tactic to reignite conflict. This attitude reveals Thailand’s disregard for international law and lack of sincerity and respect toward the United States.

Prime Minister Anutin’s rejection of President Trump’s peace proposal clearly proves that Thailand is a proud and arrogant nation that does not desire peace in the region. When the United States proposed peace talks, Thailand responded by falsely accusing Cambodia and playing the victim in order to conceal its acts of aggression.

Anutin not only refused America’s goodwill but also spoke dismissively of Donald Trump’s leadership. Around the world, there are very few countries — Thailand among them — that have dared to reject or belittle the world’s leading superpower. This dismissive stance suggests that Thailand seeks to sever ties with the U.S. and is walking down a path leading toward its own downfall.

Every nation longs for peace and social stability, yet Thailand continues to manipulate global perception by pretending to be under threat from its neighbor. Cambodia, by contrast, is a small country that has never waged war against anyone. Thailand, however, has distorted the truth, launched attacks on Cambodia, and falsely claimed to be “defending its territory and its people,” while concealing its own acts of aggression and violations of Cambodian sovereignty.

Thailand’s refusal to accept the U.S. position indicates that it does not want international arbitration, likely fearing exposure of its lies and misconduct, which would tarnish its national image. Nonetheless, its military encroachments, land invasions, and forced expulsions of Cambodian civilians — especially the illegal enforcement of Thai law inside Cambodian territory — cannot be hidden. As the Khmer proverb says, “A dead elephant cannot be covered by a mat.”

Therefore, Thailand’s evasion of President Donald Trump’s peace proposal clearly shows that Thailand has no intention of ending the Cambodia–Thailand conflict. Instead, it seeks to maintain pressure on Cambodia to enforce its own fraudulent 1:50,000-scale map, in defiance of Cambodia’s official 1:200,000-scale map recognized by the United Nations and the 2000 Cambodia–Thailand Memorandum of Understanding.

Cambodia, on the other hand, continues to act in accordance with the principles of peace, fully respecting the ceasefire and supporting the United States’ goodwill initiative. Cambodia regards President Donald Trump’s actions as a highly respectable and praiseworthy effort in promoting regional and global peace and stability.

Thailand’s rejection has made it even clearer to the international community that it is an arrogant and untrustworthy nation, uncivilized in its conduct and intent on war.

Thailand’s arrogance and rejection of President Donald Trump’s goodwill serve as undeniable proof that it does not seek peace in the region. Its dismissive attitude toward diplomatic reconciliation is a dangerous path that will cost Thailand its honor, dignity, and reputation as a civilized nation in the eyes of the global community.

By: Pin Vichey (Political Science Scholar)