Thailand seeks parliamentary consent for Cambodia maritime dispute talks
A Joint Technical Committee (JTC) has yet to be established to address the maritime dispute with Cambodia, as the Thai government requires parliamentary consent to proceed, according to Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
During a Senate session chaired by deputy Senate speaker Kriangkrai Srirak, Maris addressed a query from Senator Yukol Chanawatpanya concerning the 26,000-square-kilometre overlapping claim area in the Gulf of Thailand near Trat’s coast. He stated that no action has been taken in the disputed area, and a new JTC has not been formed as the main negotiation mechanism to resolve the ongoing issue.
In the absence of the committee, the government is open to receiving input from all sectors, incorporating feedback from Senate members into Thailand’s negotiation guidelines to ensure the nation’s and people’s best interests.
The government intends to negotiate with Cambodia following international law and legal frameworks, adhering to the principles outlined in the 2001 Thai-Cambodian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 44), consistent with past government directions since its signing.
Maris described MoU 44 as a balanced tool to protect national interests across security, maritime boundaries, and economic aspects while safeguarding sovereignty and national benefits. He emphasised that the government is committed to three guiding principles: public acceptance, parliamentary approval, and compliance with international and legal frameworks when managing the maritime issue.
He assured that no actions would be undertaken without parliamentary consent and that negotiations would strictly adhere to the stated principles. Maris clarified that MoU 44 does not compel Thailand to accept Cambodia’s territorial claims, nor does it impact Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut.
Maris added that MoU 44 requires that discussions on boundary demarcation and joint area development proceed concurrently. The government plans to seek parliamentary consideration for any agreement before taking binding action, reported Bangkok Post.
He concluded that every action necessitates parliamentary approval, and the government will conduct a seminar to foster mutual understanding and gather opinions from all sectors. The next seminar, organised with relevant House committees, is set to take place today.
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