NEWS
27 May 2026 5:10 AM• 3 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Thailand Announces Shift to UNCLOS in Maritime Dispute with Cambodia During Paris Talks
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PHNOM PENH – May 26, 2026 – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has informed French President Emmanuel Macron that Thailand has withdrawn from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia on maritime boundary negotiations and will instead rely on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve overlapping claims, according to a report by Thai PBS World.
The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between Anutin and Macron in Paris on May 25, following nearly 25 years of deadlock under the MoU framework.
However, Thailand's move comes after Cambodia had already taken the initiative. As reported by the Khmer Daily on May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Interior expressed support for the Royal Government's decision to utilize compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS to seek a resolution to the overlapping maritime claims, following Thailand's official withdrawal from the MoU. The Ministry also expressed respect for the guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Senate President of Cambodia, who on May 12 reminded the Royal Government to proceed directly to the mechanisms provided under UNCLOS without waiting for any agreement from or bilateral negotiations with the Thai side.
Cambodia ratified UNCLOS in February 2024, a move that facilitated its ability to pursue this legal avenue well before Thailand's recent announcement.
Regarding land border disputes, the Thai Prime Minister stated that Bangkok will adhere to the joint statement signed late last year, while expressing doubt about Cambodia's sincerity in negotiations. In past border conflicts, Cambodia has consistently sought support from France and the international community, stating Thailand of initiating armed clashes, and has frequently raised the issue before international fora.
The Anutin-Macron talks also focused on elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with both sides agreeing to implement the Joint Action Plan to Strengthen the Thai-French Partnership 2026–2028.
According to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, Anutin identified the swift conclusion of the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement as a key priority. The Thai Prime Minister expressed gratitude to France for its continued support throughout the negotiation process and reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to finalizing the pact by the end of this year.
On bilateral commerce, both leaders agreed to promote investment in high-value industries. Executives from MEDEF International expressed strong interest in expanding operations in Thailand, particularly in alternative energy, aerospace, smart grids, and artificial intelligence data centre infrastructure. Paris also welcomed the growing presence of Thai private-sector investment in France.
Security cooperation is set to expand beyond traditional frameworks such as the annual Cobra Gold military exercises, with a focus on cybersecurity to align with Bangkok's crackdown on transnational cyber-scam networks, which has recently led to significant asset seizures and extraditions.
Sources: Thai PBS World, May 26, 2026
Thailand turns to UNCLOS in Cambodia maritime dispute, PM tells Macron
The Khmer Daily, May 21, 2026.
Reported by the Khmer Daily Desk
The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting between Anutin and Macron in Paris on May 25, following nearly 25 years of deadlock under the MoU framework.
However, Thailand's move comes after Cambodia had already taken the initiative. As reported by the Khmer Daily on May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Interior expressed support for the Royal Government's decision to utilize compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS to seek a resolution to the overlapping maritime claims, following Thailand's official withdrawal from the MoU. The Ministry also expressed respect for the guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Senate President of Cambodia, who on May 12 reminded the Royal Government to proceed directly to the mechanisms provided under UNCLOS without waiting for any agreement from or bilateral negotiations with the Thai side.
Cambodia ratified UNCLOS in February 2024, a move that facilitated its ability to pursue this legal avenue well before Thailand's recent announcement.
Regarding land border disputes, the Thai Prime Minister stated that Bangkok will adhere to the joint statement signed late last year, while expressing doubt about Cambodia's sincerity in negotiations. In past border conflicts, Cambodia has consistently sought support from France and the international community, stating Thailand of initiating armed clashes, and has frequently raised the issue before international fora.
The Anutin-Macron talks also focused on elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with both sides agreeing to implement the Joint Action Plan to Strengthen the Thai-French Partnership 2026–2028.
According to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, Anutin identified the swift conclusion of the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement as a key priority. The Thai Prime Minister expressed gratitude to France for its continued support throughout the negotiation process and reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to finalizing the pact by the end of this year.
On bilateral commerce, both leaders agreed to promote investment in high-value industries. Executives from MEDEF International expressed strong interest in expanding operations in Thailand, particularly in alternative energy, aerospace, smart grids, and artificial intelligence data centre infrastructure. Paris also welcomed the growing presence of Thai private-sector investment in France.
Security cooperation is set to expand beyond traditional frameworks such as the annual Cobra Gold military exercises, with a focus on cybersecurity to align with Bangkok's crackdown on transnational cyber-scam networks, which has recently led to significant asset seizures and extraditions.
Sources: Thai PBS World, May 26, 2026
Thailand turns to UNCLOS in Cambodia maritime dispute, PM tells Macron
The Khmer Daily, May 21, 2026.
Reported by the Khmer Daily Desk