Thailand ready for UN mediation on maritime dispute with Cambodia

Thailand is prepared to engage in United Nations-backed mediation with Cambodia regarding their maritime dispute, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced Wednesday. Cambodia had previously initiated the dispute resolution process under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over contested areas in the Gulf of Thailand, believed to hold undersea energy reserves worth approximately $300 billion.

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Thailand is fully prepared to undertake all necessary actions in accordance with UNCLOS, placing the utmost importance on safeguarding the country's interests.

This move by Cambodia follows Thailand's cancellation last month of a 2001 agreement for joint oil and gas exploration in the disputed zones. Thailand's prime minister cited a persistent stalemate in implementing the accord. Sihasak described Cambodia's decision to begin compulsory conciliation proceedings as "rushed," suggesting it could impede efforts to "rebuild trust and confidence towards restoring bilateral relations."

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rushed decision

Despite the diplomatic tension, Thailand remains committed to safeguarding its national interests. The conciliation process under UNCLOS results in non-legally binding recommendations, which the parties can use to negotiate a resolution. Both nations are signatories to the convention, which governs maritime boundaries and resource rights. The dispute, a legacy of the French colonial era, has seen decades of disagreement over maritime territories and border demarcation, punctuated by deadly clashes last year.

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rebuild trust and confidence towards restoring bilateral relations