Ceasefire Suspended: Landmine Blast Halts Trump-Brokered Thailand-Cambodia Truce
London-UK, November 12, 2025
Thailand Says Trump-Brokered Ceasefire with Cambodia Is On Hold
A critical peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump between Thailand and Cambodia has been plunged into jeopardy, with Bangkok announcing the indefinite suspension of the truce’s implementation following a deadly landmine explosion that severely wounded Thai soldiers.
The incident, which occurred just weeks after the high-profile signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accord, has triggered a fresh diplomatic crisis, with Thai authorities accusing Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the agreement.
This sudden and violent breakdown not only tests the fragile stability of the disputed border but also severely undermines the Trump administration’s efforts to portray itself as a peacemaker in Southeast Asia, with analysts suggesting the entire deal was predicated on political optics rather than a genuine resolution of the long-standing territorial dispute.
Key Headlines
Landmine Injuries:
The suspension was triggered after four Thai soldiers were injured, with one losing a leg, when a PMN-2 anti-personnel mine exploded during a patrol in Thailand’s Sisaket province.
Release Halted:
As a key retaliatory measure, Thailand has indefinitely postponed the agreed-upon release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been held captive since the July border conflict.
Violation Accusation:
The Thai military has accused Cambodian forces of deliberately planting the landmines, asserting they were newly laid on Thai soil, a charge Phnom Penh vehemently denies.
Political Pressure:
Political analysts have suggested the accord was always fragile, created largely to satisfy President Trump’s desire to be seen as a global peace broker, overlooking the deep-seated historical and territorial issues.
The incident occurred near the disputed border in Sisaket province on Monday when a patrol from the Royal Thai Army was conducting routine movements.
The resulting blast from an anti-personnel landmine left one sergeant having to have his right foot amputated, while three other troops sustained shrapnel injuries.
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) subsequently released a statement alleging that the mine was placed recently, arguing that soldiers observed cut barbed wire and other signs suggesting the ordnance had been sneaked in and newly planted on what Thailand considers its sovereign territory.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the decision to indefinitely suspend all ongoing efforts under the ceasefire agreement. He stated that the incident made it clear that “hostilities still remain” and that a de-escalation of the conflict had not happened as expected despite previous efforts.
The Thai Foreign Ministry followed up with a formal protest, demanding that Cambodia issue an apology, conduct a thorough investigation, and implement preventative measures to ensure no similar incidents occur.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the landmine blast demonstrated an “utter lack of sincerity” from the Cambodian side.
The most tangible consequence of the suspension is the immediate halt to the planned release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who were captured during the intense, five-day border conflict in July that killed dozens of soldiers and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.
The return of these prisoners was a central component of the Kuala Lumpur Accord, signed last month in the presence of President Trump and Malaysian leaders. Now, the prisoners’ fate remains uncertain, adding another layer of tension to the complex border dispute.
For its part, Cambodia has rejected the Thai accusations, denying that it has laid any new landmines and expressing “regret” over the injuries sustained by the Thai troops.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson suggested that the explosives were likely remnants of past conflicts and urged Thai troops to exercise greater caution and avoid patrolling in known old minefield areas. The Cambodian government maintains its commitment to the peace deal and has urged Thailand to honor its promise to release the captured soldiers.
The fragile nature of the ceasefire has been noted by international observers from the beginning. Senior analysts from the International Crisis Group had previously warned that the agreement was likely to break down because it was primarily an exercise in diplomatic theatre, concluded to “placate President Trump” on matters wholly unrelated to the core dispute, namely, trade and the President’s public pursuit of being recognized as a global peacemaker.
The deep-seated conflict, which has historical roots in territorial claims over ancient Hindu temples like Preah Vihear, requires a long-term, comprehensive process mediated by neutral international bodies, not a rushed, high-level political declaration. The landmine explosion has now confirmed these fears, demonstrating that without a resolution to the core territorial issue, the peace between the two neighbours remains tenuous and volatile.
