Thai PM asserts Koh Kut’s sovereignty amid Cambodia MoU concerns

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra unequivocally reaffirmed Koh Kut’s status as a Thai sovereign territory, despite increasing anxiety over the island’s reference in a 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia. This MoU concerns resource management in overlapping claim areas between the two nations.

The 38 year old Thai prime minister maintained that while there is no question about Koh Kut’s sovereignty, the contentious MoU cannot be annulled without Cambodia’s agreement. Her statements aligned with recent assurances made by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the island’s status.

“As the interior minister, I confirm that Koh Kut undoubtedly and completely belongs to Thailand. Fellow Thais live there, and it is recognised as a district of Trat.”

Anutin referenced various legal documents and royal commands that reinforce the island’s Thai identity.

The 2001 MoU has come under scrutiny following suggestions that if used as a basis for negotiations on marine resource management in the overlapping claims area, Thailand might risk losing sovereignty over Koh Kut. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, however, dismissed these concerns, clarifying that the MoU is purely for facilitating marine resource management in the Gulf of Thailand and does not involve Koh Kut.

He further explained that the MoU was not revoked when the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration took office, and any future discussions on joint marine interests between Cambodia and Thailand will need to address the maritime boundary between the two countries.

Sontirat Sontijirawong, head of academic and policy affairs of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), noted that the Abhisit administration, which includes leaders and members of parties in the current government coalition, had, in principle, agreed to revoke the MoU on November 10, 2009.

“These parties include [what is now] Bhumjaithai,” Sontirat remarked, indirectly referring to Anutin, the current leader of the Bhumjaithai Party. He further urged the coalition parties to reaffirm their intention to annul the 2001 MoU to safeguard national interests.

Suriyasai Katasila, a former coordinator of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, also known as the Yellow Shirts, pointed out that there are efforts to portray critics of the 2001 MoU as nationalists. He argued that such actions would only further divide the nation and not serve its interests, reported Bangkok Post.

Suriyasai emphasised that critics are more focused on the claims about overlapping areas made by Cambodia, which are intended for negotiations with Thailand over joint maritime resource sharing, rather than Koh Kut itself.