Energy Minister Urges Peaceful Settlement of Thai Maritime Dispute to Unlock Vast Oil and Gas Potential

PHNOM PENH, May 26, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s energy minister has urged peaceful resolution of overlapping maritime claims with Thailand, warning that failure to settle the dispute risks leaving untapped oil and gas reserves worth more than $300 billion.

Mines and Energy Minister Keo Rottanak told CNBC that Cambodia remains committed to dialogue and international law despite Bangkok’s recent withdrawal from a 2001 memorandum of understanding.

The pact, known as “MoU 44,” had provided a framework for joint development of petroleum resources in a disputed 26,000‑square‑kilometre area believed to contain up to 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and millions of barrels of oil.

“Regrettably, Thailand walked away from the agreement,” Rottanak said. “We still believe in dialogue and in resolving differences peacefully under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” He added that Cambodia is considering compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS to pursue a legitimate settlement.

Rottanak stressed that unlocking the resources would benefit both countries and the wider ASEAN region at a time of global energy disruption. “It helps unlock the resource potential in this area so that we can share between the two countries and the two peoples, but also with ASEAN,” he said.

The minister noted that Cambodia and Thailand had agreed under the 2001 MoU to negotiate a joint development treaty and maritime boundary, but progress stalled before Thailand cancelled the pact earlier this month. Cambodia insists the dispute should be resolved through legal and diplomatic channels rather than unilateral action.

Regional expert Pou Sothirak, senior advisor at the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies, backed the government’s approach, describing compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS as “the most honourable, respectable and legal way” to address tensions. He said the move should not be seen as provocation but as an effort to create clarity through international law after Thailand’s withdrawal.

Cambodian officials argue that resolving the dispute is critical not only for energy security but also for regional stability, as ASEAN seeks to strengthen cooperation in the face of rising global demand and supply chain disruptions.