In recent years, Donald Trump has repeatedly presented himself as a peacemaker capable of settling complex international disputes. His diplomatic efforts, especially regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, faced major obstacles and ended in failure.
This conflict has deep historical roots, going back to the Khmer Empire, whose lands included much of today's Thailand. The dispute over the Preah Vihear temple is symbolic and sensitive for both nations. French colonial border demarcations in the 20th century created a basis for subsequent territorial claims, further complicating matters.
Starting from a border incident, the armed conflict quickly escalated with the use of aviation, artillery, and other military equipment. Hundreds of civilians were evacuated, and cultural heritage sites were damaged. Trump's much-publicized peace initiative resulted in only a short-lived ceasefire, which lasted just a few weeks before collapsing amid renewed escalation.
The events show that lasting peace cannot be achieved with only economic pressure or signed declarations. Deep national grievances, the pursuit of revenge, leadership shifts, and external influences make "quick fixes" impossible. Military and political actors in both countries have their own interest in continuing the conflict.
Trump's brief success—securing a deal for "peace in exchange for contracts"—failed to stop the confrontation. Renewed clashes, problems with agreement implementation, and new economic and political crises proved that a comprehensive solution needs long-term work addressing structural issues.
Regional balance is now changing under the influence of China and the internal politics of both countries, with the military remaining a central player. Despite loud declarations, "phone call diplomacy" has not proved able to break the cycle of tension, agreements, and escalations along the border.
