BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has recently addressed public concerns regarding the 2001 Thailand-Cambodia Memorandum of Understanding, commonly known as “MOU 44,” underscoring its importance.
Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, clarified that MOU 44 serves as a framework for negotiations over overlapping continental shelf claims between Thailand and Cambodia, a dispute that has persisted for more than five decades. This MOU provides guidelines for discussing maritime boundaries and resource-sharing, without conceding any territorial claims until a mutual agreement is reached. As the MOU functions strictly as a negotiation mechanism, it does not require parliamentary approval under the current constitution.
Russ further explained that any agreements arising from MOU 44 negotiations must be submitted to Parliament for approval before becoming legally binding. This requirement ensures that the Thai public, through their elected representatives, has a say in decisions impacting national sovereignty and the management of valuable natural resources.
He noted that, although a 2009 Cabinet resolution proposed canceling MOU 44, subsequent studies highlighted its strategic advantages. Consequently, the Cabinet opted in 2014 to uphold the MOU, which remains in effect. He emphasized that MOU 44 remains Thailand’s most effective tool for protecting its interests in maritime boundary and resource-sharing negotiations. Canceling the MOU would not eliminate Cambodia’s territorial claims.
Addressing concerns about Koh Kood, Russ affirmed that the island has been clearly recognized as Thai territory since the 1907 Treaty between France and Siam, as Thailand was then known. He stated that no negotiations are underway involving Koh Kood, and any claims to the contrary are misleading and detrimental to national interests.
The vice minister also announced that on November 19th, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa will propose to the Cabinet the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to facilitate further negotiations on the matter with Cambodian counterparts. (NNT)
