BANGKOK — In a significant move to reinforce regional stability, the United States has pledged $45 million in comprehensive assistance to Thailand and Cambodia following last year’s border conflicts. The announcement was delivered Friday by Michael DeSombre, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, during a digital press conference from Bangkok.
The substantial aid package targets multiple critical areas: $15 million allocated for border stabilization and community recovery programs, $10 million designated for demining operations and clearance of unexploded ordinances, and $20 million committed to combating transnational crimes including scam operations and drug trafficking. These initiatives directly address the aftermath of armed clashes that displaced hundreds of thousands and resulted in approximately 100 military and civilian casualties.
The border tensions, rooted in longstanding territorial disputes, escalated into military confrontations in July and December. The initial ceasefire, brokered in October as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, received crucial reinforcement through diplomatic intervention from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump personally warned both nations that continued hostilities would jeopardize potential trade agreements with Washington.
DeSombre emphasized that peaceful borders create unprecedented opportunities for deepened cooperation, stating: ‘The restoration of peace at the Thai-Cambodian border opens new opportunities for the United States to deepen our work with both countries to promote regional stability and advance our interests in a safer, stronger and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.’
The assistance addresses persistent security challenges, including landmine contamination from Cambodia’s civil war era and newly laid mines that have injured Thai patrol personnel. Additionally, it targets sophisticated online scam networks operating from Southeast Asia that have defrauded global victims of billions.
This commitment marks a strategic reengagement after previous cuts to U.S. humanitarian and development programs. DeSombre is scheduled to continue diplomatic discussions with Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh on Saturday, further solidifying implementation details of both the peace agreement and assistance package.