Thailand insists sea boundary talks with Cambodia must stay within UNCLOS scope

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — October 18, 2026 — Thailand has reaffirmed that maritime boundary negotiations must adhere strictly to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and must not stray from delimitation discussions, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. This stance was articulated following the second session of the Thailand-Cambodia Conciliation Commission, which convened from October 14-18 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.

During the proceedings, Sihasak emphasized that Thailand's stance was grounded in international law under UNCLOS, focusing on legal and technical nuances related to the continental shelf and territorial sea boundaries. Both Thailand and Cambodia presented their claims to aid the commission in comprehending their perspectives, with the subsequent deliberations aimed at a mutual understanding.

Sihasak stressed that Thailand's position is legally anchored in UNCLOS and that the course of action should remain confined to maritime boundary delimitation discussions.

In parallel, the commission's deliberations encompassed confidence-building measures, which the countries agreed upon to enhance bilateral relations and facilitate progress. These measures included refraining from inflammatory statements in international forums and abstaining from actions that could provoke hostility between the nations.

Thailand affirmed its alignment with these proposals and underscored its adherence to the pre-existing agreement to resolve disputes bilaterally, in accordance with international legal principles.

Sihasak also addressed persistent accusations made by Cambodia in international bodies, including remarks from the Cambodian prime minister during the commission's meetings. He stressed that the nature of discussions hinged on Cambodia's commitment to the dialogue and reaffirmed that both parties have consistently underscored the importance of avoiding international platforms for personal grievances.

Thailand's participation in the conciliation process, Sihasak explained, does not entail a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ, despite both institutions sharing a building), as the conciliation process is a non-binding mechanism designed to reach equitable resolutions based on international law through negotiation rather than a judicial decree.