Sihasak: Confident in Protecting Thailand's Interests Amidst Cambodian Actions

Thairath•Politics•3h ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew assures national interests will be protected, criticizing Cambodia's swift move to initiate mandatory conciliation under UNCLOS as contradictory to its own stated desire for bilateral relations.

•Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew stated Thailand is prepared to protect its national interests regarding the South China Sea.
•Sihasak criticized Cambodia's decision to initiate mandatory conciliation under UNCLOS as a contrary action to Cambodia's previous calls for bilateral discussions.
•Thailand reaffirms its rejection of Cambodia's land border claims, citing a Joint Statement from December 27, 2025, aimed at de-escalation and security.
•Thailand is preparing its list of conciliators and its stance for the UNCLOS conciliation process.

Overview

•On June 3, 2026, Sihasak Puangketkaew stated confidence in protecting national interests, viewing Cambodia's actions as contradictory to its demands.
•Cambodia's notification to initiate mandatory conciliation under UNCLOS occurred while Sihasak was visiting France.
•Thailand believes the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on overlapping continental shelf claims of 2001 is no longer relevant and seeks new discussions based on international law.
•Sihasak stated that Thailand wishes to find a way forward for mutual benefit and that direct resolution between neighboring countries is the best path.
•Sihasak noted that Cambodia's rushed decision to begin conciliation under UNCLOS contradicts its calls for restoring bilateral relations and border discussions.
•Sihasak asserted that Thailand completely rejects Cambodia's allegations concerning land borders, reaffirming adherence to the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025.
•Sihasak is scheduled to meet with Thailand's legal advisors to prepare the list of conciliators and related positions.
•The mandatory conciliation process under UNCLOS provides non-binding recommendations for parties to use in further negotiations.

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Key Quotes

Sihasak Puangketkaew

"Please be confident that Thailand is prepared for related actions and can fully protect the country's interests."

ขอให้เชื่อมั่นว่า ประเทศไทยมีความพร้อมในการดำเนินการที่เกี่ยวข้อง และมั่นใจได้ว่าจะสามารถปกป้องผลประโยชน์ของประเทศได้อย่างเต็มที่

Sihasak Puangketkaew

"Cambodia's rushed decision to initiate mandatory conciliation under UNCLOS is contrary to its consistent demands."

การตัดสินใจที่เร่งรีบของกัมพูชาในครั้งนี้ที่จะเริ่มกระบวนการประนอมภาคบังคับภายใต้ UNCLOS กลับสวนทางกับสิ่งที่กัมพูชาเรียกร้องมาโดยตลอด

Key Entities

Person

Sihasak Puangketkaew(สีหศักดิ์)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand who made statements regarding the dispute with Cambodia.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The nation involved in a maritime and land border dispute with Thailand, initiating conciliation under UNCLOS.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The nation involved in a maritime and land border dispute with Cambodia, led by Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew.

Law

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

The international treaty under which Cambodia has initiated a mandatory conciliation process concerning maritime disputes with Thailand.

MOU 2001(บันทึกความเข้าใจระหว่างไทยกับกัมพูชาว่าด้วยพื้นที่ที่ไทยและกัมพูชาอ้างสิทธิในไหล่ทวีปทับซ้อนกัน พ.ศ. 2001)

The Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Cambodia concerning overlapping continental shelf claims, dated 2001 (2001), which Thailand deems no longer relevant.

Joint Statement of Special GBC Meeting 3(ถ้อยแถลงร่วม (Joint Statement) ของการประชุม GBC สมัยพิเศษครั้งที่ 3)

A declaration agreed upon by Thailand and Cambodia during the Special GBC Meeting 3 on December 27, 2025, aimed at de-escalation and peace.

Organization

Conciliators(คณะผู้ประนอม)

A body of individuals appointed under UNCLOS to provide recommendations for dispute resolution between states.