Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand and Cambodia were now moving toward a common legal framework after Cambodian leader Hun Manet announced plans to use compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address overlapping maritime claims.
Speaking on Wednesday, Anutin said the two countries had previously operated under different frameworks, but Thailand’s cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding meant both sides would need to negotiate new rules for future talks.
“At least both countries will now be operating under the same set of rules,” Anutin said. “Thailand no longer has the MOU 44, so whatever discussions take place from now on, new rules and frameworks must be agreed upon together.”
He added that there was still time for discussions and that Thailand’s Foreign Ministry was overseeing the matter. Anutin is set to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, from 7-9 May, where regional leaders including Hun Manet are expected to meet.
