Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced plans to ask the Cabinet to prepare for the cancellation of MOU44, saying the agreement no longer delivers any benefit. The proposal would require relevant state agencies to begin legal and administrative preparations, rather than terminating the memorandum immediately. The move signals a possible policy shift with implications for Thailand’s long-standing international commitments.
Speaking at Government House at 10.00am on 10 February 2026, Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said he would raise the matter at a Cabinet meeting. He explained that agencies would be instructed to prepare the necessary groundwork for cancellation in line with legal requirements. He stressed that the current government would not revoke the agreement outright without due process.
MOU44 refers to a memorandum of understanding signed between Thailand and Cambodia, formally known as the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding on the Area of Overlapping Maritime Claims in the Gulf of Thailand. The agreement set out a framework for the two countries to cooperate, refrain from unilateral exploitation and jointly explore and develop natural resources, particularly petroleum, in the disputed maritime area. It was intended as a temporary mechanism to manage overlapping claims while negotiations on maritime boundaries continued.
According to Anutin, MOU44 has remained in force for years without tangible progress. He said the agreement has failed to advance cooperation or deliver practical outcomes, making its continued existence unjustifiable. For this reason, he argued that keeping MOU44 serves no practical purpose.
When asked whether the Cabinet has the authority to cancel the memorandum immediately, Anutin said all actions must strictly comply with the law. He emphasised that the government would follow established legal and administrative procedures at every stage. Any decision, he said, must be defensible under both domestic and international legal frameworks.
Thaitabloid reported that the Cabinet is expected to assign relevant agencies to study the legal obligations, administrative implications and possible consequences of cancelling MOU44. Their findings will inform the government’s next steps and determine whether formal termination can proceed. Further consideration will be required before any final decision is made.
Key Takeaways
• Prime Minister Anutin has proposed Cabinet preparations to cancel the Thailand–Cambodia MOU44.
• MOU44 covers cooperation and joint development in overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
• Any cancellation will follow legal and administrative procedures and will not be immediate.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thaitabloid 2026-02-11
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