Cambodia and Thailand have embarked on a United Nations-supported conciliation process aimed at settling their longstanding maritime boundary dispute in the Gulf of Thailand. The foreign ministers from both nations presented opening remarks during the initial meeting under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This marks a significant step as the two countries seek to address their differences over a contested area believed to be rich in natural resources.
Cambodia has expressed its preference for establishing a definitive maritime boundary with Thailand. In the absence of such an agreement, Phnom Penh has suggested a joint development scheme, which would allow both countries to share the resources found in the disputed waters. On the other hand, Thailand has emphasized that the discussions should remain focused solely on delimiting the maritime boundary. Bangkok has indicated its commitment to participating in the process with a genuine spirit of cooperation, despite having previously advocated for resolving the matter through direct bilateral negotiations.
The dispute has persisted for over 25 years, involving approximately 26,000 square kilometers of potentially resource-rich waters. The area’s significant natural gas and oil reserves add an economic dimension to the geopolitical tensions. An earlier agreement in 2001 aimed at jointly managing the disputed resources was dissolved by Thailand in May, following a resurgence of tensions linked to border clashes that resulted in fatalities.
In response to the ongoing impasse, Cambodia initiated the compulsory UNCLOS conciliation process in June. This process involves an independent panel that is tasked with examining the dispute and issuing recommendations. However, it’s important to note that the panel’s findings are not legally binding on either party, serving instead as a framework for potential resolution.