Thai MP rejects Cambodia claims over MOU 44 at IPU assembly
Thai MP Thanarat Chongsuttanamanee rejects Cambodian claims over border issues and MOU 44 at the 153rd IPU Assembly in Tanzania.
Pheu Thai Party MP Thanarat Chongsuttanamanee has rejected claims made by a senior Cambodian lawmaker over Thailand-Cambodia border disputes and the termination of MOU 44, urging both sides to rely on dialogue and established dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Thanarat, a member of the Thai parliamentary delegation, responded to remarks by Ouch Borith, First Vice-President of the Senate of Cambodia and head of the Cambodian delegation, during the General Debate at the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania, on October 9.
The exchange took place during a session involving young parliamentarians after the Cambodian side raised issues concerning the border situation, alleged use of cluster munitions and landmines, and Thailand’s termination of the 2001 memorandum of understanding commonly known as MOU 44.
Thanarat said he regretted that a forum intended to promote good governance and community empowerment had been used to present what he described as one-sided and distorted information.
He urged Cambodia to pursue constructive dialogue rather than rhetoric that could cause misunderstanding and increase tensions.
“Thailand has consistently adhered to international humanitarian law,” Thanarat said. “Allegations concerning cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines are serious and should be examined through an independent, impartial and credible fact-finding process, with the same standards applied to all sides.”
Thailand points to bilateral and UNCLOS mechanisms
Thanarat also rejected suggestions that ending MOU 44 amounted to abandoning peaceful dispute resolution.
He said land-boundary issues continued to be addressed through bilateral mechanisms, while the maritime dispute was being handled separately through conciliation proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Thailand formally entered the UNCLOS conciliation process with Cambodia earlier this year over their maritime boundary dispute.
Thanarat warned against politicising mechanisms intended to resolve disputes peacefully, saying civilians would ultimately bear the consequences of heightened tensions.
“Although we are disappointed, we are not discouraged. The duty of young parliamentarians is to choose progress over politics,” he said.
“Thailand will not respond with one-sided accusations. We remain ready to be a good neighbour and to seek common ground for sustainable peace and progress for all sides.”
The 153rd IPU Assembly is being held in Arusha from October 5–9 under the theme “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all.”
