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Thailand and Cambodia begin UN conciliation over maritime dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have commenced a United Nations-backed compulsory conciliation process in Singapore to resolve a long-standing maritime boundary dispute in the Gulf of Thailand. The proceedings are being conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) before a five-member commission of independent experts.
The dispute centers on an overlapping claims area of approximately 26,000 to 27,000 square kilometers. This region is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves, including an estimated 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and oil valued at roughly $300 billion.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stated that Cambodia seeks either a treaty to establish a single maritime boundary or an agreement for the joint development and equitable sharing of resources. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow affirmed that Thailand is participating in good faith, noting that the previous 2001 memorandum of understanding failed to produce concrete progress and was unilaterally terminated by Bangkok in May 2026.
The move toward international conciliation follows a period of heightened tension, including deadly armed clashes along the land border between the two nations in July and December 2025, which resulted in numerous casualties and mass displacements.
Entities
Cambodia · Prak Sokhonn · Sihasak Phuangketkeow · Thailand · United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cambodia seeks a treaty for a single maritime boundary or an agreement for joint resource development. www.bairdmaritime.com · thailandnews.co
- [● 5 SOURCES] The UNCLOS conciliation process involves a five-member commission of independent experts. baoquangninh.vn · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · news.az · thediplomat.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The conciliation findings are not legally binding on either party. www.bairdmaritime.com · thailandnews.co
- [● 5 SOURCES] Thailand terminated a 2001 memorandum of understanding regarding resource exploitation in May 2026. www.bairdmaritime.com · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · news.az · thailandnews.co
- [● 6 SOURCES] Thailand is participating in the conciliation process in good faith and according to UNCLOS provisions. www.bairdmaritime.com · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · news.az · thailandnews.co · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Armed clashes occurred along the land border between Thailand and Cambodia in July and December 2025. baoquangninh.vn · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · news.az
- [● 2 SOURCES] The disputed area is estimated to contain nearly 12 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and oil valued at approximately $300 billion. www.bairdmaritime.com · thailandnews.co
- [● 4 SOURCES] The disputed maritime area covers approximately 26,000 to 27,000 square kilometers in the Gulf of Thailand. www.bairdmaritime.com · lesinguliersete.fr · thailandnews.co · thediplomat.com