BANGKOK, Thailand – The Foreign Ministry is moving forward with plans to establish a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) with Cambodia to negotiate overlapping maritime claims, while asserting that the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will not affect Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kood Island.
On November 5, Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang, Director-General of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, emphasized that the MOU serves only as a framework for negotiations.
“The MOU is not a threat to our interests. Article 5 clearly states that this memorandum and its implementation will not affect the maritime claims of either party,” she said.
The move comes amid concerns about potential territorial losses. Cambodia first made its maritime claims in 1972, which Thailand rejected, establishing its own sovereign boundary declaration in 1973. Officials stress that such unilateral declarations are binding only under domestic law and require peaceful bilateral negotiations to resolve.
The proposed JTC will be led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, comprising over 20 members from legal, security, and energy sectors. Any agreement reached must be approved by parliament and comply with international law.
“Koh Kood’s status is absolutely secure. The 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty clearly establishes Thai ownership of the island. Thailand has exercised full sovereignty over Koh Kood, and this is undisputed from past to present,”Suphanvasa stated.
While formal talks have yet to begin, previous working-level relationships and a subcommittee meeting in 2021 have laid groundwork for negotiations. Once the cabinet approves the JTC formation, discussions with Cambodia can commence promptly.
The initiative aims to establish a framework for joint resource management and benefits sharing in the disputed maritime area, building on three previous unsuccessful negotiation attempts. (TNA)
