Thailand readies UNCLOS talks with Cambodia in Singapore

Thailand will begin its first conciliation meeting with Cambodia under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in Singapore on 14-16 September 2026.

Bangkok says the process should focus first and exclusively on delimiting the two countries' maritime boundary, rejecting Cambodia's proposal to include possible resource-sharing arrangements in the compulsory conciliation proceedings.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Saturday, 12 September, that Thailand had completed extensive preparations for the three-day meeting, scheduled from Monday to Wednesday.

Thai agencies have held several rounds of discussions on how the country's case should be presented, he said. Thailand has also consulted foreign legal advisers specialising in international maritime law.

Thailand's position on MOU 44

Sihasak said Thailand believed it had a relatively strong legal position under international law.

A key part of Bangkok's case will be demonstrating that the previous memorandum of understanding, known as MOU 44, was cancelled after more than 20 years without progress. Thailand's stated aim was to clear the way for a new round of bilateral negotiations with Cambodia.

He added that voluntary conciliation remained available before the compulsory conciliation procedure.

"Everything has to be discussed. It is not only a matter of international law, but also a matter of mutual trust in reaching an agreement," Sihasak said.

Boundary first, resources later

Cambodia has proposed that the meeting address maritime boundary delimitation and, if the sides cannot reach an agreement, consider how benefits from various resources could be shared.

Thailand's position is that resource-sharing should not be included in compulsory conciliation. It wants both countries to pursue negotiations on the maritime boundary as fully as possible before any discussion of sharing resources.

The meeting is Thailand's first conciliation engagement with Cambodia under UNCLOS, the international convention governing maritime rights and boundaries.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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14 September 2026

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