Nation Thailand
Thailand and Cambodia back maritime settlement but differ over 2001 pact at Singapore talks
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Thailand and Cambodia expressed support for a peaceful settlement of their overlapping maritime claims in opening statements in Singapore on September 15, 2026, but differed sharply over the collapse of their 2001 negotiating framework and the diplomatic conduct that brought them to conciliation.
Key facts
- The two countries presented their positions at the first meeting of the Conciliation Commission under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- Prak said maritime boundary discussions with Thailand had begun in 1995 and led to the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MOU)
- He said Thailand publicly announced its unilateral termination of the agreement on May 5, 2026, despite Cambodia’s repeated calls for the pact to be honoured.
- Sihasak said the 2001 MOU had produced no concrete progress, with only two rounds of official talks over 25 years
- Government targets 2031 Phuket expressway Phase 1 opening to cut trips to five minutes
Summary
The two countries presented their positions at the first meeting of the Conciliation Commission under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The meeting is scheduled for September 14–16, with consideration of rules of procedure and the framework for subsequent work alongside the opening statements.
Thailand’s delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, accompanied by representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Royal Thai Navy and Energy Ministry. Cambodia’s delegation was headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.