In a late-night social media post that has injected fresh optimism into Thailand’s strained relations with the United States, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul asserted early Sunday that President Donald Trump has explicitly assured him the U.S. will not tie ongoing tariff negotiations to Thailand’s suspension of a recent border peace declaration with Cambodia. The message, relayed through Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, comes amid mounting pressure on Bangkok to resume demining efforts along the volatile frontier, even as Thai officials maintain that Phnom Penh bears responsibility for recent violations.
Anutin’s Facebook update, timestamped 1:44 a.m. local time, detailed a phone call from Anwar, the current ASEAN chair, late on November 15th, following discussions between the Malaysian leader and Trump. “President Trump agrees with my stance that Humanitarian Demining is a critically important issue in the Declaration signed jointly by Thailand and Cambodia,” Anutin wrote, quoting Anwar’s relay of Trump’s words. “Therefore, he has asked the Thai government to expedite the demining operations as quickly as possible because of the extreme danger to the lives of the people of both countries.”
Crucially, Anutin discussed Trump’s alleged directive to Anwar: “The United States will not link Thailand’s suspension of the Declaration, due to Cambodia’s violation of its conditions, to the ongoing trade tariff negotiations between Thailand and the United States.” The premier noted he sought Anwar’s permission to publicize the exchange, receiving a green light with the casual retort, “Go ahead and post it, Anutin.” Anwar reportedly promised his own confirmation via official channels, though no such statement had appeared by mid-morning Sunday.
Anutin framed the update as a clarification, stating that a U.S. Trade Representative’s letter announcing the suspension of tariff talks issued late Friday was outdated. “The letter… was printed before I spoke on the phone with President Trump on the evening of Friday, November 14th. Therefore, my information is more current,” he added, aiming to reassure “all concerned citizens” amid domestic backlash over perceived economic risks.
Thai media outlets swiftly amplified the post, with government spokespeople echoing Anutin’s narrative of separation between security and commerce.
The development caps a whirlwind 48 hours of diplomatic maneuvering, triggered by Thailand’s November 10th announcement halting the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, a U.S.-brokered truce witnessed by Trump and Anwar. Bangkok cited a landmine blast in Sisaket province that maimed two Thai soldiers, blaming Cambodia for fresh explosives despite the accord’s ban on new installations. International inspectors, including ASEAN observers, reportedly confirmed the mines’ recency, fueling Anutin’s demands for an apology, responsibility, and unobstructed access to 13 demining zones.
Cambodia has rebuffed the accusations as “baseless,” countering with claims of Thai gunfire allegedly killing a civilian in Prey Chan village on November 12th and wounding three others. Phnom Penh evacuated border residents and called for ASEAN mediation, while Prime Minister Hun Manet held his own call with Trump late Friday, pledging adherence to the declaration. Anwar, balancing his mediator role, affirmed to Trump that both nations favor “dialogue and diplomatic efforts,” posting on X (formerly Twitter) about troop withdrawals under the framework.
The dispute’s roots burrow deep into colonial-era Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907, whose fuzzy maps have long contested Khmer temples like Preah Vihear, awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 and reaffirmed in 2013. Flare-ups escalated in May 2025 in the Emerald Triangle, culminating in July’s five-day clashes that killed 38 and displaced over 300,000. Trump’s intervention, including tariff threats, forced the July 28th ceasefire.
Economically, the stakes are high for Thailand, whose $50 billion in annual U.S. exports faces 19% tariffs on most goods. Anutin’s government, navigating domestic unrest since his September ascension, views the reciprocal tariff framework as a lifeline for electronics and agriculture.
As Thailand invites further ASEAN verification and convenes its National Security Council, analysts see glimmers of progress but warn of fragility.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
