International Community (10th – 14th Nov. 2025)
| US President Donald Trump held calls with Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to tamp down border tensions that are threatening to upend a fragile peace between the Southeast Asian neighbours. After Thailand suspended the peace declaration, a US State Department spokesperson urged Thailand and Cambodia to maintain stability and implement the deal, while the ASEAN Chair stated that the peace agreement is still being negotiated. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who oversaw last month’s peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand, said he is committed to continuing efforts to stabilise relations between the two nations after the re-flare of border issues when a Cambodian civilian was killed and several others were injured during a Thai attack. https://bit.ly/4nVbXVG; “For over 70 years we [the United States and Cambodia] have maintained a close relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and shared interests. The growing U.S-Cambodian partnership has brought prosperity, peace, and security to both our peoples. The United States looks forward to continuing our support for a strong, independent, and resilient Cambodia.” - Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State on the occasion of Cambodia’s National Day. https://bit.ly/47At7mK; South Korea’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Cho Hyun, who is visiting Cambodia from November 9 to 11, aims to deepen bilateral ties and establish a joint task force to combat online scam-related crimes. https://bit.ly/4oy9dyM; Malaysia’s foreign minister said the landmines that maimed Thai soldiers along the Cambodia-Thailand border this week were newly laid. The statement, which raises questions about Phnom Penh’s previous denials of planting new mines, comes as an expanded truce between the neighbors begins to collapse amid fresh violence and casualties. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told Malaysian media that ASEAN observer teams in both countries reported the mines were new. The disclosure follows a separate border incident in which one Cambodian civilian was killed and three others wounded by gunfire that Cambodia says came from Thai forces unprovoked. https://bit.ly/43ZZrNu; Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the suspension of the peace accord and authorized military operations following this morning’s National Security Council (NSC)’s decision as two of their soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has announced the “termination” of “agreements between Thailand and Cambodia” until any “acts of hostility by Cambodia cease”, following an incident on Monday when Thai soldiers reportedly stepped on landmines. https://bit.ly/4p7caWY; Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for Cambodian Senator Ly Yong Phat and four others, including Chinese nationals, for allegedly laundering money linked to online scams. |
