Cambodia Seeks Peaceful Settlement of Maritime Dispute with Thailand Through UNCLOS Conciliation

September 15, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs PRAK Sokhonn, serving as Cambodia's Agent, presented the Kingdom's position at the inaugural session of the Conciliation Commission between Cambodia and Thailand, convened under the auspices of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the morning of September 15, 2026, in Singapore. In his remarks, he restated Cambodia's unwavering commitment to a peaceful resolution of the decades-old maritime dispute, grounded in international law.

The Agent's report to the Commission noted that peace and stability between Cambodia and Thailand would serve not only the citizens of both nations but the wider ASEAN community as well. Cambodia opted for this conciliation pathway as a means of restoring trust, he said, rather than as a mechanism for heightening tensions.

Cambodia earnestly hopes that Thailand will engage in the conciliation process with a constructive spirit and, in parallel, take concrete steps to improve bilateral ties. This includes the complete and effective implementation of all existing bilateral agreements, most notably the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025.

To advance these objectives, Cambodia put forward three proposals:

First. Cambodia seeks to conclude a treaty with Thailand—facilitated by the Commission and consistent with international law—to establish a single, comprehensive maritime boundary between the two nations.

Second. Cambodia stands ready to enter into a joint development agreement with Thailand, allowing for the equitable sharing of resources between the two states while a final maritime boundary agreement is pending.

Third. Should neither a permanent boundary treaty nor a joint development arrangement prove attainable, Cambodia requests that the Commission issue a report with recommendations to both parties. This would serve as a foundation for future negotiations, in keeping with the parties' obligations under UNCLOS.

The Agent further underscored Cambodia's deep-rooted conviction regarding respect for international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the institutions that uphold these principles. Cambodia's engagement with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), he noted, reflects its abiding faith in international bodies as avenues for the peaceful resolution of complex inter-state disputes. That experience has shown that matters of vital national interest can be addressed through peaceful, multilateral means rather than through force, and that the international legal framework offers a durable foundation for neighbouring states to resolve their differences.

These commitments, the Agent stated, shape Cambodia's approach to its relations with Thailand, which have endured a challenging period. Cambodia hopes the Conciliation Commission will help both sides turn a new page for their mutual benefit.

Cambodia is confident that the Commission, composed of distinguished members, is well-equipped to assist Cambodia and Thailand in reaching an outcome that brings peace, stability, and shared prosperity to the region.

Reported by The Khmer Today