General – Politics
Thailand on Tuesday formally withdrew from a long-standing agreement with Cambodia aimed at pursuing joint offshore energy exploration, despite appeals from Phnom Penh to maintain the 25-year-old arrangement.
The Thai cabinet’s decision ends a bilateral framework designed to facilitate the joint exploration of hydrocarbon resources in disputed areas of the Gulf of Thailand, where the maritime claims of both countries overlap. The move had been widely anticipated following two rounds of armed clashes between the neighbouring nations last year.
The withdrawal was a major campaign promise of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who won reelection earlier this year amid a surge in nationalist sentiment fueled by the border conflict with Cambodia, making him the first Thai leader in twenty years to secure a second term.
Speaking to reporters, Anutin insisted the decision was not directly linked to the recent tensions.
“Cancelling the agreement is not related to the border conflict with Cambodia, but part of my policy. It has been 25 years, and there has been no progress,” he said, adding that Cambodia would be officially notified of the termination.
Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed disappointment over Thailand’s decision, stating that Phnom Penh now has no option but to pursue a resolution of the maritime boundary dispute through mechanisms established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS reaffirms its commitment to resolving maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.”
