Cambodia has initiated a conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address its maritime boundary dispute with Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that his country has formally notified both Thailand and the United Nations Secretary-General to commence this procedure. This decision is aimed at protecting Cambodia’s maritime rights and sovereignty while conforming to international legal standards.
The Cambodian government has highlighted that this move is designed to ensure a peaceful resolution of the maritime dispute through dialogue, mediation, and expert consultation, rather than escalating tensions. Cambodia is committed to maintaining constructive relations with Thailand and considers the UNCLOS mechanism a well-structured and internationally recognized framework for dispute resolution.
The core of the disagreement lies in overlapping claims over parts of the Gulf of Thailand, where both Cambodia and Thailand assert rights to certain offshore areas. The UNCLOS provides legal avenues for such disputes, including conciliation procedures overseen by independent international panels.
Officials in Cambodia have stressed that the initiation of this conciliation process aligns with the country’s commitment to international law while also safeguarding its national interests. The approach reflects a preference for leveraging established international mechanisms to address complex bilateral issues, aiming for a resolution that supports long-term regional stability.