Cambodia has initiated a formal 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 Cambodia has submitted formal notifications to both Thailand and the United Nations Secretary-General to activate this process. The Cambodian government aims to uphold its sovereignty and maritime rights while remaining in compliance with international law.
The decision to proceed with UNCLOS conciliation is part of Cambodia’s strategy to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue and mediation, rather than allowing tensions to escalate. Cambodian officials have stressed the importance of maintaining constructive relations with Thailand, viewing the UNCLOS framework as a structured and internationally accepted means of settling disputes.
The core of the disagreement lies in overlapping territorial claims in parts of the Gulf of Thailand, where both nations assert rights over specific offshore areas. UNCLOS offers legal mechanisms for resolving such disputes, including conciliation procedures that involve independent international panels. This framework is designed to facilitate impartial and expert-led discussions aimed at reaching an amicable solution.
By engaging in this UN-backed process, Cambodia demonstrates its commitment to international norms and the peaceful pursuit of national interests. The government sees the UNCLOS mechanism as a way to ensure that any resolution respects both countries’ rights and promotes regional stability. As the conciliation procedure unfolds, both Cambodia and Thailand will engage with the international community to address their competing claims through expert consultation and mediation.