UNCLOS cited as Cambodia’s fallback if Thailand exits maritime pact: official

PHNOM PENH, May 4, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia will turn to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), if Thailand withdraws from a long‑standing agreement on overlapping maritime claims, a senior foreign ministry official said.

Kung Phoak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told state broadcaster TVK that Phnom Penh was “very disappointed” by moves from Bangkok to revoke the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The pact covers disputed areas of the continental shelf in the Gulf of Thailand and has provided a framework for dialogue for more than 25 years.

Phoak described it as a key instrument for managing overlapping claims and maintaining cooperation.

“If Thailand withdraws, it means removing the bilateral mechanism that has enabled discussions for over 25 years,” he said, warning that such a step would dismantle the existing dialogue framework.

In that scenario, Cambodia would have “no choice” but to rely on international legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS, to pursue a peaceful resolution.

The comments follow reports that Thailand’s National Security Council has decided to withdraw from the MoU.

Cambodia’s foreign ministry has called the move “deeply regrettable” while reaffirming its commitment to the agreement’s “letter and spirit.”