Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs briefs diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in Thailand on recent developments concerning Thailand - Cambodia relations and the situation in Myanmar
On 5 June 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, briefed the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in Thailand on recent developments concerning Thailand-Cambodia relations and the situation in Myanmar. Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Rutchabhoom Boonrawd, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, also joined the briefing panel. In attendance were 72 diplomats and representatives of international organizations in Thailand, representing 67 countries, the European Union, and two international organizations.
Regarding maritime issues between Thailand and Cambodia, the Deputy Prime Minister updated the diplomatic corps on Cambodia's decision to initiate compulsory conciliation proceedings under Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning maritime delimitation between the two countries. He noted Cambodia’s public announcement was made prior to Thailand’s formal receipt of the notification instituting compulsory conciliation proceedings. The move is inconsistent with the spirit agreed by Thai and Cambodian leaders in Cebu during the 48th ASEAN Summit, as well as the discussion between the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in New York, where both sides agreed to move forward constructively in rebuilding trust and discussions on maritime and land boundaries and border-related issues. The Thai side also informed the Cambodian side of its decision to terminate the MOU 2001 because it had failed to produce any substantive progress over the last 25 years and promptly invited the Cambodian side to a bilateral discussion firmly based in international law, including the relevant principles under UNCLOS, to which Cambodia has recently become party.
Thailand does not agree with Cambodia’s reasoning that the termination of the MOU2001 meant that the Parties were left without a bilateral framework to discuss maritime delimitation as bilateral discussions can take place without the MOU2001. Therefore, Thailand is of the view that Cambodia's notification came before bilateral discussions were exhausted. Furthermore, while the notification specified Cambodia’s goal in these proceedings as including maritime boundary delimitation and provisional arrangements for joint development and equitable sharing of resources pending final delimitation, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the scope of matters submitted to the Conciliation Commission should be limited to maritime boundary delimitation. In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that Thailand will have to reassess the implications this will have for proceeding with various bilateral issues with Cambodia. In any event, Thailand has undertaken all necessary preparations to engage in compulsory conciliation proceedings under UNCLOS.
The Deputy Prime Minister also provided an update on the latest developments in Myanmar, particularly ASEAN’s engagement with Myanmar. Thailand attaches great importance to making progress towards positive developments in Myanmar and the issue of formally returning Myanmar to ASEAN, as peace and prosperity in the region depend on ASEAN unity and centrality.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/fmbreifmouc-eng?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683c
