BANGKOK, May 6 : Thailand’s government on Tuesday terminated a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia, ending a bilateral framework for resolving overlapping maritime territorial claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
Cambodia expressed regret but vowed to continue seeking a resolution.
Signed to enable peaceful boundary delimitation and joint marine resource management under international law, the MoU yielded no progress after five rounds of talks over 20 years.
The termination—effective only after formal notification—dashed hopes of exploiting offshore oil and gas in the disputed area.
The move follows a sharp deterioration in ties, including deadly border clashes last year that killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. A fragile ceasefire holds, but tensions persist with military buildups.
Nationalism surged post-conflict, influencing Thai politics. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party campaigned on scrapping the deal.
Anutin clarified the decision won’t affect the land border and negotiations will shift to frameworks like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek called it an “adjustment” for clearer, more systematic talks under UNCLOS.
Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn lamented the “departure from the spirit” of peaceful resolution, announcing pursuit of compulsory UN conciliation. Prime Minister Hun Manet echoed hopes for a “just and lasting solution” via international law.
