Thailand scraps 25-year-old agreement with Cambodia on joint energy exploration

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Cambodia ‌will now initiate a compulsory conciliation ‌mechanism under the ⁠UN Convention on the ‌Law of the ‌Sea

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ReutersPublished: 4:32pm, 5 May 2026Updated: 4:38pm, 5 May 2026Thailand on ⁠Tuesday cancelled a long-standing agreement ⁠with Cambodia to work towards joint offshore ⁠energy exploration, Thailand’s prime minister said, defying calls from its neighbour to stay the course on the 25-year-old pact.The Thai cabinet’s cancellation of the 2001 agreement, which seeks to develop a framework to jointly explore hydrocarbons in parts of the Gulf of Thailand ‌where the claims of Thailand and Cambodia overlap, had long been expected and follows two rounds of armed conflict between the two countries last year.The withdrawal was an election campaign pledge of Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who earlier this year rode a wave of nationalism stoked by the fierce fighting with Cambodia to become the first Thai leader to be ⁠reelected in two decades.Advertisement

“Cancelling the deal is not related to the border conflict with Cambodia, but ‌part of my policy. It has been 25 years and there has been no progress,” Anutin told reporters, adding that Cambodia would be informed of the decision.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed ‌regret over the termination and said Phnom Penh “has no option” but to settle the boundary issue under processes outlined ⁠in the United Nations Convention ⁠on the Law of the Sea, or Unclos.

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“Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation under Unclos reaffirms its commitment to resolving maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance ‌with international law,” he said in a statement.

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