Cambodia has initiated a formal conciliation procedure under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address its maritime boundary dispute with Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who confirmed that Cambodia had sent official notifications to both Thailand and the United Nations Secretary-General to commence the process. This action is aimed at protecting Cambodia’s sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring compliance with international law.

The Cambodian government has expressed that the decision to engage in this procedure is focused on fostering a peaceful resolution through dialogue, mediation, and expert consultation, rather than escalating tensions. Officials have stressed Cambodia’s commitment to maintaining constructive relations with Thailand and view the UNCLOS mechanism as a structured and internationally accepted framework for addressing such disputes.

The core of the maritime disagreement lies in the overlapping claims in certain regions of the Gulf of Thailand, where both Cambodia and Thailand assert rights over the same offshore areas. The UNCLOS provides various legal avenues for resolving these types of disputes, including conciliation procedures that are conducted by independent international panels.

By pursuing this route, Cambodia underscores its dedication to resolving the issue in a manner that respects both countries’ interests while adhering to established international legal processes. The move reflects an effort to handle the matter diplomatically and avoid potential conflict, underscoring the importance of dialogue and cooperation in international relations.