Cambodia Hopes Reconciliation Commission Can Aid New Chapter in Cambodia-Thailand Relations

Phnom Penh, September 15, 2026 -- At the first meeting of the Commission on the Law of the Sea held in Singapore on the morning of September 15, 2026, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, stated that Cambodia hopes the reconciliation commission can help both parties, Cambodia and Thailand, open a new chapter for the mutual benefit of both sides. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn affirmed Cambodia's commitment to international law, stating that Cambodia's respect for international law, peaceful dispute resolution, and institutions that promote these principles are deeply rooted in Cambodia's national experience. He asserted, "Our pursuit of solutions through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) reflects our confidence in international institutions as a mechanism for peacefully resolving complex disputes between states in accordance with international law." He also stated that this experience has shown that the most critical issues for a nation can be resolved peacefully and through multilateral mechanisms rather than through the use of force, and that an international framework can provide a strong and lasting foundation for neighboring states to resolve their conflicts. Concurrently, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, "The commitment mentioned above is a decisive factor in Cambodia's approach to maintaining relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, and relations between Cambodia and Thailand have been and are going through a difficult phase. Cambodia hopes that the reconciliation commission can assist both parties in opening a new chapter for the mutual benefit of both sides." Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn also highlighted the encouraging results of the reconciliation process concerning the maritime boundary between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Australia. He noted that this arbitration process demonstrated how compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea can resolve long-standing deadlocks between neighboring countries and lead to a permanent solution through a treaty. The Deputy Prime Minister added, "Cambodia is confident that the reconciliation commission, with its distinguished composition, is fully capable of assisting Cambodia and Thailand in achieving similar outcomes, namely results that bring peace, stability, and shared prosperity to our region."