January 9, 2026 | 10:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The United States has committed 45 million dollars, or around Rp758 billion, in funding to support stabilization efforts following the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.
Michael George DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, announced the funding during a virtual press briefing attended by Antara on Friday, January 9, 2026.
"I am proud to announce that we will be providing $15 million for border stabilisation to help communities recover and to support displaced persons," said DeSombre, who was in Bangkok to monitor the ceasefire implementation. He added that an additional $10 million (Rp168 billion) will be allocated for demining operations and the clearance of unexploded ordnance.
Meanwhile, $20 million (Rp337.9 billion) will fund initiatives to help both countries combat fraud and drug trafficking operations, along with other related programs.
The official emphasized that the United States is concerned about the border conflict and welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached on December 27.
DeSombre said the US welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement reached after weeks of renewed border fighting and described Thailand’s release of 18 captured Cambodian soldiers as a critical step towards rebuilding trust and achieving lasting peace.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has been involved in restoring peace after a month of escalating tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border resulted in casualties and displaced thousands. Despite the ceasefire, DeSombre emphasized that Washington will continue to monitor its implementation to advance its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
He added that the restoration at the Thailand-Cambodia border opens new opportunities for the United States to deepen cooperation with both countries in promoting regional stability and advancing a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Thailand and Cambodia have faced a border dispute for decades, which escalated into armed conflict in July with artillery fire and air strikes. Both sides reported casualties, including civilians. In August, they announced an immediate ceasefire, followed by a formal agreement to end the conflict in December.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement in Malaysia on October 26 to end border tensions.
The signing, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump.
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