https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailandenhttps://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-joins-un-maritime-process-over-gulf-dispute-r2228/Thailand has reassured the public that its participation in a United Nations-backed maritime arbitration process initiated by Cambodia does not involve negotiations on joint development or the sharing of offshore resources in the Gulf of Thailand. Get today's headlines by email Government spokesperson Ms. Rachada Thanadirek said on 7 June that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow had explained to both the public and ambassadors from more than 70 countries that the compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is separate from any proposal to establish a joint development zone or share resources. Cambodia launched the process after Thailand unilaterally cancelled Memorandum of Understanding 2544 (MOU44) last month. The agreement had provided a framework for border demarcation discussions and efforts towards joint offshore energy exploration between the two neighbouring countries. Thai officials stressed that joining the UNCLOS process does not mean Thailand accepts Cambodia’s claims or demands. According to the government, participation is intended to ensure transparent deliberations based on facts and legal principles through an international mechanism recognised by both countries. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said all steps would be taken carefully, with close coordination between foreign affairs and security agencies as well as international law experts to protect Thailand’s interests. The maritime dispute centres on an area of approximately 26,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand, claimed by both countries for more than 25 years. The area is estimated to contain nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and large volumes of oil, with a total estimated value of USD 300 billion. Thailand will send two representatives to the UN-backed negotiations. However, Sihasak criticised Cambodia’s decision to include resource-sharing issues in the process, saying he had urged Cambodian counterparts to continue bilateral discussions for at least six months before pursuing international mechanisms. Sihasak also said Cambodia publicly announced its decision on 2 June before officially notifying Thailand. Cambodian officials rejected that claim, providing what they said were copies of an email and paper notification delivered on the same day. Reuters was unable to independently verify the documents. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said bilateral efforts had been exhausted and expressed hope that Thailand would engage in the process in good faith. Prime Minister Anutin later stated that Thailand would not pursue any additional bilateral talks with Cambodia, including discussions on land border issues. He said all border crossings would remain closed and that restoration of wider relations would not be discussed at this stage. Tensions between the two countries remain high following two rounds of border clashes last year that killed nearly 150 people and displaced at least 300,000 people, although a ceasefire agreed in December remains in effect. Sihasak warned that Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation was unlikely to improve bilateral relations. He noted that East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, remains the only country to have successfully used the UNCLOS conciliation process to settle a maritime dispute, resolving a long-running disagreement with Australia in just under two years. The ThaiNewsRoom reported that further discussions under the UNCLOS framework are expected to begin as both sides prepare their representatives and legal positions. Thai officials say the process could take an uncertain amount of time compared with direct bilateral negotiations. Related stories Cambodia-launches-unclos-process-over-gulf-dispute Thai-panel-defends-Cambodia-mou-scraping-to-Asean Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thai newsroom 9 June 2026Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:45:26 +0000Thailand has reassured the public that its participation in a United Nations-backed maritime arbitration process initiated by Cambodia does not involve negotiations on joint development or the sharing of offshore resources in the Gulf of Thailand. Get today's headlines by email Government spokesperson Ms. Rachada Thanadirek said on 7 June that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow had explained to both the public and ambassadors from more than 70 countries that the compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is separate from any proposal to establish a joint development zone or share resources. Cambodia launched the process after Thailand unilaterally cancelled Memorandum of Understanding 2544 (MOU44) last month. The agreement had provided a framework for border demarcation discussions and efforts towards joint offshore energy exploration between the two neighbouring countries. Thai officials stressed that joining the UNCLOS process does not mean Thailand accepts Cambodia’s claims or demands. According to the government, participation is intended to ensure transparent deliberations based on facts and legal principles through an international mechanism recognised by both countries. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said all steps would be taken carefully, with close coordination between foreign affairs and security agencies as well as international law experts to protect Thailand’s interests. The maritime dispute centres on an area of approximately 26,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand, claimed by both countries for more than 25 years. The area is estimated to contain nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and large volumes of oil, with a total estimated value of USD 300 billion. Thailand will send two representatives to the UN-backed negotiations. However, Sihasak criticised Cambodia’s decision to include resource-sharing issues in the process, saying he had urged Cambodian counterparts to continue bilateral discussions for at least six months before pursuing international mechanisms. Sihasak also said Cambodia publicly announced its decision on 2 June before officially notifying Thailand. Cambodian officials rejected that claim, providing what they said were copies of an email and paper notification delivered on the same day. Reuters was unable to independently verify the documents. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said bilateral efforts had been exhausted and expressed hope that Thailand would engage in the process in good faith. Prime Minister Anutin later stated that Thailand would not pursue any additional bilateral talks with Cambodia, including discussions on land border issues. He said all border crossings would remain closed and that restoration of wider relations would not be discussed at this stage. Tensions between the two countries remain high following two rounds of border clashes last year that killed nearly 150 people and displaced at least 300,000 people, although a ceasefire agreed in December remains in effect. Sihasak warned that Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation was unlikely to improve bilateral relations. He noted that East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, remains the only country to have successfully used the UNCLOS conciliation process to settle a maritime dispute, resolving a long-running disagreement with Australia in just under two years. The ThaiNewsRoom reported that further discussions under the UNCLOS framework are expected to begin as both sides prepare their representatives and legal positions. Thai officials say the process could take an uncertain amount of time compared with direct bilateral negotiations. Related stories Cambodia-launches-unclos-process-over-gulf-dispute Thai-panel-defends-Cambodia-mou-scraping-to-Asean Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thai newsroom 9 June 2026 View full articleMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:45:26 +0000You demand we do not gossip and yet you post bare faced lies!!Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:45:19 +0000I'm listening to a warped Don Ho record that's all scratched up because it's former owner supposedly Swiss didn't buy a new needle soon enough because cheap charlie* *diamond needles are expensiveMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:36:52 +0000From Fame to shamed for Gov. Walz, the admitted knucklehead. "Football coach turned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops re-election bid amid massive fraud scandal that potentially ended his political career".Walz's political career took him from Congress, to the Minnesota state capitol, to a run for vice-president of the United States" https://www.foxnews.com/politics/from-congress-vp-nominee-disgraced-former-governor-look-rise-fall-tim-walzMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:33:31 +0000The smell of weed, in particular to those that don't smoke it, is obnoxious, as is the smell of the clothing of those that do............Karen doesn't care if you smoke it, just better if it doesn't permeate another's public space.......Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:33:16 +0000JuvenileMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:33:09 +0000An isolated island full of racist White people? Say it isn't so. Fun Fact: The British royalty is German. Any other questions? 😊Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:32:18 +0000^^ this Congratulations on not needing them anymore Getting around in a wheelchair is probably difficult in Europe with it's cobblestone and very difficult here due to lack of smooth sidewalks, footpaths etc Cheers 🍻Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:28:29 +0000Post breaking forum rules removed. @Gknrd rule 17.News articles are collected from recognised sources and may be consolidated or rewritten with AI assistance. Respectful discussion of the article content is welcome. Disrespectful comments about the articles, the use of AI, or the news team (e.g. “clickbait,” “slow news day,” mocking grammar, or AI taunts) are not permitted. Posts breaching this rule will be removed, and posting suspension or account closure may resultMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:27:47 +0000I wish I had a $ for everytime people predicted Donnie Dumdums political demise since 2015 I'd be rich. ✅Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:25:03 +0000A temple is one option, they will most definitely go to someone who needs them.Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:24:37 +0000Off topic troll posts removed @simon43 @flaming dragonMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:23:40 +0000Oh my you sound triggered like a snowflake. Did someone say something bad about your big strong cult leader who wears makeup and a diaper that hurt your little feelings 😭Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:23:22 +0000False. The claim is misleading and oversimplified. It mixes real fraud cases with unsupported leaps about who knew what, when, and failed to act. I suggest running your claims through Artificial Intelligence to weed out Natural Stupidity of partisan political stooges. 😀😃😄😁😆😅😂🤣Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:20:25 +0000Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:16:51 +0000BoyMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:16:41 +0000Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:16:03 +0000GameMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:12:57 +0000Thank you IsmeUno. That was a great find. I should have checked in a more timely fashion. Actually I just went to your link and it is even cheaper today! 1,049 baht ! Many thanks once againMon, 08 Jun 2026 20:11:08 +0000Why Can't Brits Say... Aluminum Garage Schedule Tomato Herb We could play this game all day. 🥃 I'm guessing British pronunciation reflects older French influence.. .?Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:09:01 +0000You can't even look up suicide statistics without being given a suicide hotline or some references to get help But this is reflective of a worldwide trend in young adults giving up losing hope losing their identity jobs or livelihood. We need to develop our identity outside our roles. Father? What happens if your kids tragically die? What happens to your identity then? Husband? What happens if your wife leaves you? Occupation? What happens if you lose your job? What are you then? We are not any of that. Om. 😄Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:02:13 +0000ComputerMon, 08 Jun 2026 19:56:06 +0000La LineaMon, 08 Jun 2026 19:46:18 +0000As long as Shep came to no harm.............Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:35:42 +0000