Thailand-Cambodia Discuss UNCLOS, Deny Border Talks

MGR Online•Politics•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Use UNCLOS as Future Framework, Rejecting Previous MOU 44, while Denying Immediate Border Opening Discussions.

•Thailand informed Cambodia of its decision to cancel MOU 44, which Cambodia acknowledged and understood.
•Both Thailand and Cambodia agreed to use the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a future working framework.
•Discussions will proceed at various levels, including JBC and GBC, but no talks on opening borders have occurred.

Overview

•On May 7, 2026, at 7:45 PM local time (Philippines), a trilateral meeting between Thailand, Philippines, and Cambodia took place in Cebu.
•The Prime Minister stated that the Philippines President desired regional cooperation and understanding, leading to the invitation for the Thai and Cambodian leaders.
•Thailand presented reasons for abrogating MOU 2001, which Cambodia acknowledged and understood.
•Thailand and Cambodia agreed to use the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a key framework for future operations.
•Both sides agreed to gradually initiate discussions at all levels, including JBC and GBC, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs level.
•Negotiations regarding border demarcation or opening were not part of the discussion.
•The Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand will fully uphold its honor, sovereignty, and the interests of the Thai people.
•The meeting confirmed progress in security measures and military cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, with no violence reported along the border for over five months.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Confirmed that during this discussion, there were no negotiations regarding border demarcation or opening; it was merely an agreement to begin operational-level discussions first."

ยืนยันว่าในการหารือครั้งนี้ ยังไม่มีการเจรจาเรื่องการกำหนดหรือเปิดพรมแดนแต่อย่างใด โดยเป็นเพียงการเห็นพ้องให้เริ่มต้นหารือในระดับปฏิบัติการก่อน

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Thailand will fully uphold its honor, sovereignty, and the interests of the Thai people."

ประเทศไทยจะรักษาเกียรติภูมิ อธิปไตย และผลประโยชน์ของประชาชนไทยอย่างเต็มที่

Key Entities

Person

Anutin(“อนุทิน”)ℹ️

Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who revealed the outcomes of a trilateral meeting with Cambodia and the Philippines.

Ratchada Thanadirek(นางสาวรัชดา ธนาดิเรก)

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office who disclosed information from the trilateral meeting.

Sihasak Phuangketkeaw(นายสีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand who attended the trilateral meeting.

General Nuttapong Pearakaw(พลเอก ณัฐพงษ์ เพราแก้ว)

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Thai Armed Forces who attended the trilateral meeting.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

Country with which Thailand held discussions regarding the abrogation of MOU 44 and the adoption of UNCLOS.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

Country participating in a trilateral meeting with Cambodia and the Philippines to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

Republic of the Philippines(สาธารณรัฐฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

Host country of the ASEAN summit where the trilateral meeting between Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines took place.

Law

MOU 44(MOU44)

A memorandum of understanding that Thailand has decided to abrogate, with Cambodia acknowledging its stance.

UNCLOSℹ️

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to use as a future working framework.

MOU 2001

The specific year of the memorandum of understanding that Thailand clarified the reasons for abrogating to Cambodia.

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

The full name of the UNCLOS, which Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to use as a framework.

Organization

JBC

A discussion framework between Thailand and Cambodia that will proceed with talks following the trilateral meeting.

GBC

A discussion framework between Thailand and Cambodia that will proceed with talks following the trilateral meeting.