Hun Sen: Thailand's MOU 44 Abrogation Fuels Conflict; Sihasak Insists on UNCLOS Talks

Matichon•International•25d ago

Reader Briefing

Cambodia criticizes Thailand's unilateral abrogation of MOU 44, viewing it as a move away from bilateral negotiations towards internationalization under UNCLOS, while Thailand insists on adhering to international law.

•Cambodia, through Hun Sen and Prak Sokhonn, expresses disappointment and concern over Thailand's decision to abrogate MOU 44.
•Thailand asserts its right to abrogate MOU 44 and intends to use UNCLOS as the framework for future bilateral negotiations on overlapping maritime claims.
•Thai Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirms Thailand's readiness for discussions, which are expected to take place at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.

Overview

•Thailand announced the abrogation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning overlapping claims in the continental shelf, signed in 2001 (2001).
•Hun Sen warns that Thailand's abrogation of MOU 44 signals a departure from bilateral negotiation approaches and may increase conflict.
•Prak Sokhonn states that Cambodia is saddened by Thailand's decision, viewing MOU 44 as a reflection of political will and a framework for cooperation.
•Thailand cites a lack of progress in negotiations and Cambodia's focus on resource sharing over boundary delineation as reasons for the abrogation.
•Thailand intends to use the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the framework for future bilateral discussions with Cambodia.
•Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirms Thailand's preparedness for discussions during the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, between May 7-9.
•Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed on the abrogation, emphasizing unilateral cancellation rights and the rationale for using UNCLOS.
•Cambodia will pursue peaceful solutions aligned with international law in the absence of the bilateral mechanism of MOU 44.

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Key Quotes

Hun Sen

"MOU 44 is more than a technical agreement, it reflects the political will between the two countries, signifying joint intention and common interest from both nations."

MOU 44 เป็นมากกว่าข้อตกลงทางเทคนิค เพราะเป็นเครื่องสะท้อนเจตนารมณ์ทางการเมืองระหว่าง 2 ประเทศ สะท้อนถึงความตั้งใจและการให้ความสนใจร่วมกันของทั้ง 2 ประเทศ

Hun Sen

"Thailand abandoning MOU 44 means abandoning the mechanism and bilateral agreements used by both countries to resolve overlapping continental shelf disputes for 25 years."

การที่ไทยละทิ้ง MOU 44 หมายถึงการละทิ้งกลไกและความตกลงทวิภาคี ซึ่งทั้ง 2 ประเทศได้ใช้เพื่อแก้ไขข้อพิพาทเกี่ยวกับพื้นที่ทับซ้อนในไหล่ทวีปในช่วง 25 ปี

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

"We confirm that Thailand has prepared content and details for discussion, but there is not much to discuss, which will be handed over to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss further."

ยืนยันว่าฝ่ายไทยมีการเตรียมการเนื้อหาและรายละเอียดต่างๆ ที่จะพูดคุยกันแล้ว แต่ไม่ได้มีอะไรที่ต้องพูดคุยกันมาก ซึ่งจะมีการมอบให้ รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงการต่างประเทศพูดคุยกันต่อ

Key Entities

Person

Hun Sen(ฮุนเซน)ℹ️

Acting Head of State of Cambodia who commented on Thailand's abrogation of MOU 44.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand who confirmed Thailand's readiness for discussions.

Prak Sokhonn(ปรัก สุคน)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia who expressed regret over Thailand's abrogation of MOU 44.

Law

MOU 44(เอ็มโอยู44)

Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Cambodia concerning overlapping continental shelf claims, signed in 2001.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)(อนุสัญญาสหประชาชาติว่าด้วยกฎหมายทะเล (UNCLOS))ℹ️

International convention that Thailand intends to use as a framework for bilateral negotiations with Cambodia.

Place

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

Country involved in a maritime dispute with Cambodia regarding overlapping claims.

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

Country involved in a maritime dispute with Thailand regarding overlapping claims.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

Host country of the upcoming ASEAN Summit where discussions between Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled.

Organization

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose summit will host discussions between Thailand and Cambodia.

General Border Committee (GBC)(คณะกรรมการชายแดนทั่วไป (จีบีซี))

A committee that may be involved in future discussions between Thailand and Cambodia, mentioned in the article.