Cambodia Opts for UNCLOS to Resolve Maritime Border Dispute with Thailand

Cambodia has decided to adopt the dispute resolution mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve its maritime border dispute with Thailand, following Thailand's unilateral termination of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The first meeting of the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission, with Cambodia and Thailand as parties, was held in Singapore on September 14, 2026. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn led the Cambodian delegation, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow represented Thailand. On May 5, 2026, Thailand unilaterally terminated the 2001 MoU concerning the overlapping claims in the continental shelf between the two countries, despite Cambodia's repeated requests for reconsideration. This decision by Thailand led to the collapse of the sole bilateral negotiation framework between the two nations. Consequently, the Cambodian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, resolved to utilize the compulsory conciliation mechanism under UNCLOS, to which both Cambodia and Thailand are state parties. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, opting for compulsory conciliation does not signify an escalation of tensions nor an abandonment of negotiations. Instead, it aims to advance negotiations within an international framework that is structured and based on law, with the assistance of independent international conciliators. The opening session of the Conciliation Commission will include opening statements from both Cambodia and Thailand, which will be webcast online in Khmer, English, and Thai. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn is scheduled to deliver Cambodia's opening statement on the morning of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 8:00 AM (Cambodian time). Source: AKP Khmer