Thailand-Cambodia UNCLOS conciliation commission chair appointed
The 5-member commission may hold its first meeting in September, with procedural rules and arrangements for future meetings expected on the agenda.
- Ambassador Katrina Cooper, an Australian diplomat and international lawyer, has been appointed as the 5th conciliator and chair of the Thailand-Cambodia UNCLOS Conciliation Commission.
- Cooper is considered highly qualified due to her extensive experience and her previous role as a representative in the world's first UNCLOS conciliation between Australia and Timor-Leste.
- With the commission now fully formed, its first meeting is provisionally expected in September 2026 to establish its rules of procedure.
- The commission's role is to provide non-binding recommendations for both countries to consider, not to issue a legal judgment.
Jaithai Upakarnitikaset, director-general of the Department of Information and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, briefed reporters on Monday (August 17, 2026) on progress in the conciliation process under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), confirming that the chair of the Conciliation Commission had been appointed.
Jaithai explained that on August 14, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which acts as the registry and provides secretarial support to the Conciliation Commission, stated the appointment of Ambassador Katrina Cooper, an Australian national, as the 5th conciliator and chair of the commission.
Cooper is a diplomat and international lawyer widely recognised in the international legal community.
She has extensive knowledge, expertise and longstanding experience in international law, diplomacy and negotiation.
She is also familiar with the ASEAN region, having served as a deputy secretary in the Australian government with responsibility for the region, and was among the candidates supported by Thailand during earlier consultations involving all parties.
Significantly, Cooper served as the Australian government’s Co-Agent (a joint representative in the proceedings) in the UNCLOS conciliation between Australia and Timor-Leste, the world’s first conciliation process under the convention.
This gave her directly relevant experience considered especially important to her role as chair.
Jaithai affirmed Thailand’s confidence that Cooper’s legal and diplomatic experience would help her understand the context and key issues in the Thailand-Cambodia situation.
Now that all 5 members of the commission have been appointed, and Thailand has named Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow as its representative and Ambassador Songchai Chaipatiyut as deputy representative, the commission will set the date and venue for its first meeting.
The first meeting is provisionally expected to take place in September 2026, although the precise details remain to be confirmed.
The principal item on the first meeting’s agenda is expected to be drawing up the Rules of Procedure, which will set the commission’s operating rules and framework and provide guidance for subsequent meetings and related proceedings.
Discussions are also expected to cover meeting locations and timing, along with other relevant details.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that conciliation does not involve going to court.
The outcome of the conciliation meetings will not be a judgment and will not be legally binding, but will instead consist of proposals for both sides to consider.
She explained that the 5 commissioners are experts who will act impartially, with an understanding of the context surrounding the situation, and help develop balanced recommendations or solutions.
Both sides will need to present their views and clarify the facts before ultimately considering whether, and how, the commission’s recommendations could form a basis for further talks.
“As a member of the international community, Thailand recognises its responsibilities and respects international law. Thailand is ready to support and participate fully in the process on the basis of international law, with the aim of achieving a sustainable resolution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies will perform their duties and safeguard the national interest to the best of their ability,” Jaithai added.
