Cambodia and Thailand have embarked on a conciliation process supported by the United Nations to address their longstanding maritime boundary dispute in the Gulf of Thailand. This initiative is being conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with the foreign ministers from both nations delivering statements at the inaugural meeting. The core of Cambodia’s approach is to negotiate a single maritime boundary with Thailand or, alternatively, to establish a joint development agreement to enable resource sharing in the contested waters.
Thailand’s position is that the discussions should concentrate solely on delimiting the maritime boundary. While reaffirming its commitment to the process and expressing its intention to engage in good faith, Thailand also noted its earlier preference for resolving the issue through direct bilateral negotiations. The dispute between the two countries encompasses about 26,000 square kilometers of ocean territory, an area believed to be rich in natural gas and oil reserves, which adds economic significance to the resolution of the conflict.
The background to this dispute includes a 2001 agreement that set up a framework for the joint development of resources in the disputed region. However, this arrangement was terminated by Thailand in May, following heightened tensions resulting from deadly border clashes. The current proceedings were initiated by Cambodia in June, marking a shift towards a structured resolution process through UNCLOS.
While the independent panel involved in this conciliation process is empowered to make recommendations, it is important to note that any conclusions reached are not legally binding for either country. This ongoing dialogue represents a significant step towards addressing a conflict that has persisted for over 25 years, with both nations now seeking a constructive and peaceful resolution to their differences.