Cambodia outlines three options for maritime dispute with Thailand
Prak Sokhonn presents a maritime boundary treaty, joint development or commission recommendations as three options under international law.
- Cambodia's primary proposal is to establish a single, comprehensive maritime boundary treaty with Thailand in accordance with international law.
- If a boundary agreement cannot be reached, Cambodia proposes a joint development agreement (JDA) to share resources from the overlapping area while a final settlement is pending.
- As a final option, if no other agreement is made, Cambodia would ask the conciliation commission to issue a report with recommendations to serve as a framework for a future settlement under UNCLOS.
Khmer Times has reported what it described as a major diplomatic development, presenting Cambodia’s perspective as it seeks a peaceful and lasting resolution to the dispute over overlapping maritime areas with Thailand through international legal mechanisms.
The report cited Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn as saying the process would help “turn a new page” in bilateral relations.
According to the Cambodian media report, Prak outlined Cambodia’s principal position at the first meeting of the Conciliation Commission between Cambodia and Thailand, held over three days in Singapore.
He said the ultimate aim was to reach an agreement that would benefit the people of both countries and lead to peace, cooperation and shared prosperity in the region.
Three options in Cambodia’s diplomatic approach
Khmer Times detailed three options that Cambodia presented to the commission:
- A maritime delimitation treaty: Cambodia seeks to conclude a single, clear and comprehensive treaty with Thailand establishing the maritime boundary in accordance with international law.
- A joint development agreement: If a final boundary agreement cannot yet be reached, Cambodia is prepared to conclude a joint development agreement (JDA) and share the benefits from resources in the overlapping area fairly while a final boundary settlement remains pending.
- A commission report with recommendations: If no agreement can be reached on either the boundary or joint development, Cambodia would ask the commission to prepare a report containing recommendations that could serve as a framework for reaching an agreement under the obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Cambodia cites Timor case after reported memorandum cancellation
Khmer Times added that the two countries began maritime boundary negotiations in April 1995 and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning the overlapping maritime area in 2001.
However, they have yet to reach an agreement, leaving undersea resources in the area unexplored and unused.
The Cambodian outlet also cited Prak as saying that Thailand had announced on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) that it was unilaterally cancelling the 2001 MOU, despite Cambodia’s calls for adherence to the agreement.
According to Prak’s account, this prompted Cambodia to submit the matter to compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS, which Cambodia regarded as a peaceful approach.
He cited the conciliation between Timor-Leste and Australia in the Timor Sea as evidence that the UNCLOS process could help resolve a prolonged dispute between neighbouring countries.
Khmer Times concluded that Cambodia expected Thailand to participate constructively in the process while also complying with existing bilateral agreements, particularly the joint statement dated Saturday (December 27, 2025).
The outlet said this would help more than 20,000 residents return home, support the restoration of cultural heritage sites, ease tensions and rebuild mutual trust, benefiting not only the people of both countries but the wider Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community.
