Cambodia, Thailand to begin international mediation over overlapping sea claims

Cambodia and Thailand will present their cases before international mediators in Singapore this week, in an ongoing dispute over valuable maritime resources. Phnom Penh initiated a UN-backed conciliation process at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) after Bangkok withdrew from an agreement to jointly explore offshore energy in the Gulf of Thailand.

The 2001 memorandum of understanding covers nearly 27,000 square kilometers, a resource-rich area claimed by both nations. Bangkok unilaterally ended the agreement in May, citing a lack of progress, while Cambodia accused Thailand of abruptly terminating the bilateral framework and protecting its sovereignty and maritime rights.

The two countries have clashed multiple times in recent years, resulting in dozens of deaths and displacing over a million people. The PCA, established in 1899, is the world's oldest arbitration court and will mediate the dispute, with recommendations expected to be issued within a year. Both sides have welcomed the opportunity to resolve their maritime differences peacefully, with Cambodia aiming for a "fair and lasting resolution" and Thailand seeking to safeguard its national interests.

An analyst suggests the recent conflict and domestic politics in both nations have influenced their respective decisions, with Cambodia's move seen as a strategic political maneuver by Prime Minister Hun Manet.