Cambodia says UNCLOS conciliation with Thailand progressing, reaffirms land border stance

PHNOM PENH, July 20, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia said Monday that the compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address overlapping maritime claims with Thailand is moving forward, while reaffirming its position that the two countries’ land boundary cannot be altered by force.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona said Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to grant additional time requested by the four independent conciliators appointed by both sides to consider the appointment of the chairperson of the five‑member Conciliation Commission.

He described the extension as reasonable given the significance of the role, stressing that deadlines and procedural requirements under UNCLOS would not be affected.

Bona said Cambodia appreciated the conciliators’ work and remained committed to resolving the maritime dispute peacefully and in accordance with international law.

He recalled Prime Minister Hun Manet’s June 2 announcement that Cambodia would initiate the compulsory conciliation mechanism after Thailand unilaterally terminated the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding, which Phnom Penh said had provided the framework for discussions for more than 25 years.

According to the government, compulsory conciliation was chosen after considering all available peaceful and legal options, allowing both countries to present their positions before an independent commission of five international law experts.

On the land border issue, Bona said Cambodia remained committed to ceasefire arrangements and bilateral agreements, including the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025, and the Kuala Lumpur Peace Joint Statement of October 26, 2025.

He reiterated Cambodia’s reliance on the Franco‑Siamese Boundary Commission, relevant treaties, official maps and demarcation records, rejecting any attempt to alter the boundary by force.

The government said its approach had received support from state institutions and the wider public, underscoring confidence in international law as the basis for resolving disputes.