After three months of catastrophic relations, Thailand and Cambodia are starting to turn confrontation into cooperation, but such efforts will be obstructed by on-the-ground realities and invisible barriers.
This week is highly significant, as the two countries’ technical teams are convening the anticipated second Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. If everything goes as planned, both sides will agree on the drafted two-page document with which they must comply in totality.
Once US President Donald Trump arrives in Malaysia’s capital on Sunday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister Hun Manet will be ready to sign on the document, which could be called the Kuala Lumpur Accord. The Asean chair, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Mr Trump will witness the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the Asean-US Summit.
The accord will be a strictly bilateral document, but the timing is strategic. Mr Trump’s presence also coincides with the goal of the current Asean chair to promote regional peace and real dialogue.
For the two neighbours, it will jumpstart the efforts to reset ties after years of mistrust and competing narratives. Cambodia has been trying hard to portray Thailand as the aggressor — an image Thailand firmly rejects. Bangkok insists that its actions have always been defensive and guided by international law.
On the other hand, Phnom Penh has been quite successful in playing the underdog by using emotional appeals and historical grievances to arouse sympathy at the regional and international levels.
These heart-wrenching storylines, amplified by the echo-chamber of social media, have added fuel to the fire, feeding misinformation and worsening the mutual hatred as never before.
Under the Anutin government, Thailand wants to steer away from this disastrous path. Bangkok is projecting itself as the mature and responsible player (suphab-burut or gentleman) in the region. This declaration shows that Thailand can settle disputes through peaceful means rather than confrontation.
Across the border, Cambodia’s challenge is to go beyond the current brinkmanship and respond as a serious and respected partner.
The world is watching — especially Mr Trump’s team — whether Bangkok and Phnom Penh can move beyond the past and translate words into action. Washington has dispatched Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, Kevin Kim, to follow up on the negotiations and prepare for Mr Trump’s visit.
It is hoped that the declaration on Sunday will restore diplomatic and economic cooperation sooner rather than later. Admittedly, both sides have suffered great damage to their economies and people-to-people links, especially those who live along the common border.
At the four-party meeting last week, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow was succinct in stating that Thailand is committed to “building trust and confidence” with Cambodia. He also noted that every step must be clearly defined. “Otherwise,” he said, “the agreement will be only symbolic.”
This straightforward message reflects Thailand’s determination not to repeat past mistakes when political excitement overshadowed concrete progress.
The fate of the 18 Cambodian detainees in Thai custody illustrates this approach. Phnom Penh has pushed for their release as a goodwill gesture. However, Bangkok reiterates that the decision would be part of a structured process tied to verified progress under the accord.
Mr Sihasak confirmed that the detainees’ release is mentioned in the draft, but the technical teams will be working on details. “If the process moves forward, the release will be one of the confidence-building measures between the two countries,” he said.
Throughout the four-party dialogue and consultations, Thailand has emphasised that implementation procedures must be spot-on, practical, and reciprocal.
Without these clear steps, Mr Sihasak pointed out that the agreement would not have credibility. Before this weekend, both Thai and Cambodian defence chiefs are scheduled to meet before their respective governments give the rubber stamp to the accord.
It is notable that the Asean chair has also played a quiet but useful role. As host of the summit, Malaysia has facilitated communication and encouraged both sides to resolve their differences peacefully.
The fact that the accord will be signed alongside the Asean-related summit underscores the regional dimension of this bilateral breakthrough.
For the time being, the defence attachés from Asean members are participating in the interim observation team along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
The new deal, if agreed, will provide a timeframe for the so-called Asean Observer Team, headed by Malaysia, to oversee its implementation. It includes the removal of heavy weapons, the clearing of landmines, the joint task force against online scams, and the relocation of illegal villagers.
Obviously, with Mr Trump’s participation, the upcoming Asean-related summit has received wider media coverage. Bangkok wants the world to see it as a constructive player that can settle disputes through diplomacy and negotiation. By signing the declaration, Thailand will reinforce its image as a peacemaker — so will Cambodia’s prime minister.
Still, the road ahead will not be easy. Currently, Cambodia is under heavy international pressure to tackle the widely reported scam centres inside the country. Transnational crimes will certainly dominate the agenda among the leaders from Asean and dialogue partners.
It is imperative that Thailand and Cambodia break the current cycle of anger and blame, especially nationalistic outrage in all manifestations. For better or worse, they have to coexist. Furthermore, at this juncture, they can also do Asean a big favour by showing the international community that its quiet diplomacy and good office can still bring peace and stability to the region.