Thailand’s foreign minister has revealed that a fragile truce agreement with Cambodia collapsed because it was pushed through too quickly, largely due to pressure from the United States ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the joint declaration, signed in October to extend a ceasefire along the deadly Thai-Cambodian border, did not receive the time and depth of discussion it required. The agreement was later paused just a month after being signed.
According to Sihasak, Washington was eager to see the declaration finalized before Trump’s arrival, leading to rushed negotiations. While he acknowledged the importance of timely diplomacy, he emphasized that speed should never come at the cost of substance.
“The earlier, the better, of course,” he said, “but sometimes we really need to sit down properly so that what we agree on truly holds and is genuinely respected.”
The remarks shed light on the behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressures that can undermine peace efforts, even when intentions appear positive on the surface. In conflicts as sensitive as border disputes, rushed agreements may look successful on paper, but without careful groundwork and mutual understanding, they risk falling apart just as quickly.
At its core, this episode is a reminder that lasting peace cannot be scheduled around high-profile visits or political optics. Real stability demands patience, trust, and time at the table, not just signatures for the cameras.
