Cambodia Urges Thailand for UNCLOS Conciliation in Maritime Boundary Dispute

SINGAPORE, Sept 15, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has urged Thailand to pursue a peaceful settlement of their maritime dispute as a conciliation process under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) opened in Singapore on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, acting as Cambodia’s agent in the proceedings, said Cambodia had turned to compulsory conciliation after Bangkok announced in May it would cancel a 2001 memorandum of understanding on maritime boundaries. “Cambodia took this step to find a peaceful pathway forward in accordance with international law,” Sokhonn said. “Cambodia sees this conciliation process as a means to rebuild trust, not as a form of escalation.” He said Cambodia’s main objective was to reach a single, comprehensive maritime boundary agreement with Thailand, but added Cambodia was also prepared to negotiate joint development and equitable sharing of offshore resources while talks continued. If neither option proved possible, Cambodia would ask the commission to prepare recommendations that could form the basis for a future accord. Sokhonn stressed the dispute carried broader implications because of potential energy resources in the contested area. He urged Thailand to engage constructively and implement existing bilateral agreements, saying restored stability would benefit both nations and the wider ASEAN community.He cited Cambodia’s past recourse to the International Court of Justice and the UNCLOS conciliation between Timor‑Leste and Australia as proof that international mechanisms can resolve complex disputes peacefully. “Cambodia is confident this Commission is well placed to help achieve a result that brings peace, stability and shared prosperity to the region,” Sokhonn said.