Analysts Urge International Pressure After Thailand Suspends Peace Deal With Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.11, 2025) — Cambodian political analysts are calling for urgent international intervention after Thailand announced the suspension of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement, a move that has heightened tensions along the border.

Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the international community should closely monitor Thailand’s actions following its withdrawal from the Joint Declaration on Peace, signed on Oct. 26 in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“I believe Thailand would not dare harm our 18 Khmer soldiers. If they did, the government and people of Thailand would face international condemnation,” Phea said.

He urged the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help protect the detained soldiers and uphold Cambodia’s territorial sovereignty.

Phea accused Thailand of using “various pretexts” to provoke Cambodia into violating ceasefire terms and said Phnom Penh must remain firm. “We must never trade land or temples with the invaders,” he said.

Geopolitical analyst Yang Peou described Thailand’s move as “hostile and opportunistic,” accusing Bangkok of repeated breaches of international law.

He urged Cambodia to continue participating in peace accords and work with signatory states and ASEAN observers to pressure Thailand to honor its commitments.

Peou also called for Cambodia to submit a formal report to the UN Security Council detailing alleged violations and requesting international mediation. Tensions between the two neighbors have periodically flared over disputed territory, despite repeated efforts at negotiation and regional mediation.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the government was “gravely concerned” by media reports quoting Thai leadership as saying the Joint Declaration had been put on hold.

Thai media linked the suspension to a Nov. 10 landmine explosion near Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple, which injured three Thai soldiers. The incident was also cited as the reason for Thailand’s cancellation of a planned Nov. 12 release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand.

Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata expressed regret over the incident, which occurred in a mine-contaminated area believed to contain remnants from past conflicts. She said Cambodia “firmly rejects” Thai claims that new mines had been placed.

Socheata reaffirmed Cambodia’s full compliance with the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines and said the country has not used or placed new landmines that threaten civilian safety.

“Despite decades of clearance efforts, unexploded ordnance from past conflicts continues to pose risks, particularly along border areas,” she said.