Cambodia Takes Thailand Maritime Rift to UN-Backed Conciliation Panel in Singapore

Cambodia initiated a UN-facilitated conciliation at the Permanent Court of Arbitration after Thailand unilaterally withdrew from the 2001 MoU 44 agreement intended for joint offshore energy exploitation in the Gulf of Thailand. The disputed maritime zone, covering about 27,000 square kilometres, is rich in oil and gas resources. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the pull-out was due to a lack of progress and not related to the recent border clashes that caused dozens of deaths and displaced over a million people.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet described the case as a defence of sovereignty under international law, with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn set to open the hearing, followed by Thailand's Sihasak Phuangketkeow. A five-expert conciliation panel will issue non-binding recommendations after roughly a year. Thailand's energy ministry estimates the contested area could generate around $300 billion in future revenues, while analysts view the move as a political strategy for both governments.