Cambodia initiates action with UN agency to force conciliation of maritime dispute with Thailand

Cambodia’s government formally notified Thailand and the U.N. secretary-general on Tuesday to initiate compulsory conciliation proceedings under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding a long-standing maritime border dispute. The dispute centers on territory both countries claim, believed to contain significant natural gas and hydrocarbon reserves. The decision comes after Thailand unilaterally revoked a 25-year-old memorandum of understanding in May, escalating tensions that followed violent clashes over their land border in 2023. Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the move during a live broadcast, stating Cambodia was acting through international law rather than force. He emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to defending its sovereignty while avoiding unilateral actions. Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul responded that Cambodia’s move posed no issue, though Thailand prefers bilateral negotiations over third-party rulings. The dispute stems from overlapping maritime claims, with Thailand previously rejecting a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the Preah Vihear temple. Thailand has historically opposed third-party adjudication, arguing such decisions undermine bilateral sovereignty. Under UNCLOS, any ruling is non-binding, meaning both nations retain discretion over the outcome. Cambodia’s action follows heightened nationalism in Thailand after last year’s border clashes, which pressured Anutin to abandon the previous agreement. The timing suggests a shift from diplomatic stalemate to formalized legal proceedings, though the duration of conciliation remains unclear.