Cambodia has initiated a formal conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve its maritime boundary dispute with Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. Prime Minister Hun Manet revealed that the Cambodian government has officially notified both Thailand and the United Nations Secretary-General to commence this procedure. The action is intended to protect Cambodia’s sovereignty and maritime rights while adhering to international legal standards.
The Cambodian government is aiming for a peaceful resolution of the maritime dispute through dialogue, mediation, and expert consultation, rather than through confrontation. Officials have highlighted that Cambodia is dedicated to maintaining positive relations with Thailand and considers the UNCLOS framework an internationally accepted method to settle such disputes.
The conflict involves overlapping territorial claims in portions of the Gulf of Thailand, where both Cambodia and Thailand assert rights over specific offshore regions. The UNCLOS framework offers legal mechanisms, including conciliation procedures conducted by independent international panels, to address and resolve these types of conflicts.
In choosing to pursue the UNCLOS conciliation process, Cambodia underscores its commitment to international law and structured negotiation. The government’s decision reflects an effort to engage in dialogue and utilize a globally recognized method for resolving maritime disputes, aiming to prevent any rise in tensions with Thailand.