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Ex-Navy Chief Opposes UNCLOS Compulsory Conciliation, Citing Foreign Influence

Ex-Navy Chief Opposes UNCLOS Compulsory Conciliation, Citing Foreign Influence

MGR Online•Politics•21d ago

Reader Briefing

Former Thai Navy leader Admiral Pallop Tamisanon advises against accepting UNCLOS compulsory conciliation demanded by Cambodia, fearing foreign influence over sovereignty and advocating for direct bilateral negotiations.

  • •Former Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Pallop Tamisanon, has voiced strong opposition to Cambodia's request for Thailand to engage in compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS.
  • •He argues that this process could allow international bodies or individuals to unduly influence the delineation of Thailand's sovereign maritime boundaries.
  • •Admiral Tamisanon advocates for direct bilateral negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia as the most suitable method for resolving overlapping maritime claims.

Overview

  • •Admiral Pallop Tamisanon, former Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy, posted on Facebook his opinion regarding Cambodia's declaration to initiate compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS.
  • •Admiral Pallop Tamisanon stated Thailand should not accept compulsory conciliation due to the risk of foreign entities influencing the determination of Thai sovereignty.
  • •The dispute involves overlapping maritime claims between Thailand and Cambodia, covering continental shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and territorial waters.
  • •Admiral Pallop Tamisanon explained that even though the outcome of compulsory conciliation is not legally binding, it allows for the establishment of a conciliation commission that can make recommendations.
  • •Thailand and Cambodia have had overlapping claims since approximately 1972-1973, but have managed to coexist without severe conflict.
  • •Admiral Pallop Tamisanon cited the Prasat Preah Vihear incident in 1962 as a lesson about the risks of submitting sovereignty-related disputes to international bodies.
  • •Regarding legal grounds, Admiral Pallop Tamisanon pointed out that Thailand declared in 2011 upon ratifying UNCLOS that it does not accept dispute settlement mechanisms for maritime boundary delimitations that occurred before UNCLOS came into force.
  • •Admiral Pallop Tamisanon asserted that direct negotiation between Thailand and Cambodia is the most appropriate approach to resolve maritime boundary issues, considering the interests and sovereignty of both nations.

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Key Quotes

Admiral Pallop Tamisanon
"The most appropriate approach is direct negotiation between Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the issue of jointly determining maritime boundaries, prioritizing the interests and sovereignty of both countries."
แนวทางที่เหมาะสมที่สุด คือ การเจรจาระหว่างไทยและกัมพูชาโดยตรง เพื่อหาข้อยุติเรื่องการกำหนดเขตแดนทางทะเลร่วมกัน โดยคำนึงถึงผลประโยชน์และอธิปไตยของทั้งสองประเทศเป็นสำคัญ
Admiral Pallop Tamisanon
"Thailand should not accept such compulsory conciliation as it risks opening the door for foreign organizations or individuals to influence the determination of Thai sovereignty."
ไทยไม่ควรยอมรับกระบวนการประนอมภาคบังคับดังกล่าว เนื่องจากมีความเสี่ยงที่จะเปิดทางให้องค์กรหรือบุคคลจากต่างประเทศเข้ามามีบทบาทในการชี้นำการกำหนดเขตอธิปไตยของไทย

Key Entities

Person

Admiral Pallop(พล.ร.อ.พัลลภ)
Former Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy and former Senator who opposes Thailand's participation in UNCLOS compulsory conciliation.

Organization

Royal Thai Navy(ทหารเรือ)ℹ️
The military branch to which Admiral Pallop Tamisanon formerly belonged.
Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️
The legislative body of which Admiral Pallop Tamisanon was a former member.

Law

UNCLOSℹ️
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, under which Cambodia is requesting compulsory conciliation.
MOU 2001
Memorandum of Understanding from 2001, mentioned in the context of the maritime dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️
The country that is requesting Thailand to engage in compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS for maritime disputes.