Cambodia seeks maritime boundary pact as Thailand vows to protect rights at UNCLOS panel

Cambodia and Thailand presented their positions Tuesday before a UN-backed conciliation panel in Singapore over their long-running maritime dispute, with Phnom Penh seeking a comprehensive boundary pact and Bangkok vowing to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said Phnom Penh chose the process “in keeping with its commitment to the rule of law and to the peaceful settlement of disputes.” He said Cambodia wanted a resolution that “serves the peoples of both nations and contributes to peace, cooperation and shared prosperity in the region,” according to Cambodia’s state-owned AKP news agency.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, meanwhile, said Bangkok would “firmly protect” its sovereignty and maritime rights while adhering to international law, according to Thai PBS World.

Sihasak said Thailand remained committed to peaceful dispute settlement, but argued that the 2001 memorandum governing negotiations over the overlapping claims “had produced no concrete progress.” Bangkok also stressed that the proceedings concern maritime delimitation in the Gulf of Thailand and do not involve sovereignty over Koh Kood island.

Cambodia initiated compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) after Thailand terminated the 2001 memorandum in May.

The first meeting of the Conciliation Commission began in Singapore on Monday and runs through Wednesday.