Thai PM Thanks China for Mediating Cambodia Border Dispute

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul publicly thanked China for its constructive role in mediating the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute during a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister General Dong Jun in Bangkok on July 24, 2026. The expression of gratitude capped a landmark week in bilateral relations following Anutin’s five-day official state visit to China, where 15 bilateral agreements were signed and a new “2+2” strategic security dialogue mechanism was established.

A Landmark Visit to China

Anutin concluded his first official visit to China as prime minister on July 20, having traveled to Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing over five days. According to The Nation Thailand, full-delegation talks between Anutin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People resulted in the signing of 15 memoranda of understanding and agreements spanning trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, security, and media cooperation.

During the visit, Anutin met with President Xi Jinping in Shanghai on July 17. As detailed in an official readout from the Chinese Consulate in Auckland, Xi emphasized that China places its relationship with Thailand in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy and called for accelerating the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future.

Gratitude for Border Mediation

Speaking to Defense Minister Dong Jun in Bangkok on July 24, Anutin said: “Thailand thanks China for playing an active and constructive role in mediating the Thailand-Cambodia conflict and contributing to the peaceful resolution of the dispute.”

The Thailand-Cambodia border has long been a source of tension, particularly near the Preah Vihear Temple area. Anutin acknowledged during his visit to Beijing that the situation remains fragile and that rebuilding trust between the two neighbors is essential. He expressed hope that China would continue to play a constructive role in encouraging all parties to return to bilateral dialogue.

The 2+2 Security Dialogue

A key outcome of the visit was the agreement to establish a “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism involving the foreign and defense ministers of both countries. The Sina News report confirmed that both sides agreed to utilize this mechanism to deepen strategic cooperation and mutual trust. Thailand indicated it was prepared to host the first meeting under the new framework.

The mechanism represents a significant institutional upgrade in Thailand-China security relations, mirroring similar arrangements that the United States maintains with several allies, including Thailand itself.

Defense and Technology Cooperation

General Dong Jun stated that China has always regarded Thailand as a reliable partner in maintaining regional prosperity and stability, and expressed willingness to deepen military cooperation across various domains, including responsible AI, cybersecurity, military technology, and counter-transnational crime.

The 15 agreements signed during Anutin’s visit reflected a strong focus on future industries, including cooperation on nuclear fusion, the application of China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, AI education, and the establishment of a joint Thailand-China laboratory for deep-space exploration.

One-China Policy Reaffirmed

Anutin firmly reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to the One-China policy, stating it “will not change due to external pressure or interference.” This statement carries particular significance given Thailand’s long-standing treaty alliance with the United States and the broader context of great power competition in Southeast Asia.

Anti-Scam Cooperation

Thailand has assisted in the return of 7,894 Chinese nationals who fell victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes linked to scam centers in neighboring countries. Anutin proposed closer exchanges of intelligence and financial transaction data to combat transnational online crime networks operating along Thailand’s borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

What to Watch For

Anutin confirmed he would attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, China, in November 2026. Thailand also looks forward to an official visit by President Xi Jinping and has renewed an invitation for Premier Li Qiang to visit Bangkok — which would be the first visit by a Chinese premier to Thailand in seven years. Meanwhile, Thailand has reaffirmed its commitment to completing Phase 1 of the Thailand-China high-speed railway by 2030.

Premier Li Qiang noted during the Beijing talks that although the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year, links between their peoples stretch back more than 1,000 years, and bilateral relations are now at their closest.