Cambodia and Thailand have shared support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) conciliation process, going forward. The neighbouring Kingdoms have agreed to adopt specific confidence-building measures, including recognition of each other’s right to make “public statements to defend their legitimate interests”.
The agreement was reached during the second meeting of the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission, held from October 14 to 18 in The Hague, the Netherlands, according to a statement issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on October 18.
“Among the agreed measures, both parties recognise that they have a right to make statements to protect their legitimate rights or to correct factual misinformation and disinformation,” it noted.
Cambodia and Thailand continue to pursue their respective positions over maritime boundary delimitation, while differences remain over how the two countries should communicate their claims and disagreements in international forums.
“The commission encouraged both parties to implement the existing agreements and measures to help create an environment conducive to constructive negotiations within conciliation,” the ministry explained.
Meanwhile, Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who represented Thailand at the meeting, declared that the conciliation process should remain focused exclusively on maritime boundary delimitation under UNCLOS.
According to October 18 reporting by Khaosod English, Sihasak said discussions during the five-day meeting concentrated on legal and technical issues, including the principles and evidence supporting each country’s claims concerning the continental shelf and territorial sea boundaries.
He said the commission had asked both sides to explain the legal basis of their respective positions to assist its consideration of the dispute, while also considering confidence-building measures intended to improve bilateral relations and prevent further tensions.
The proposed measures included refraining from accusations or statements in international forums that could undermine the conciliation process, as well as avoiding actions that might provoke confrontations between the two countries, he added.
He insisted that Thailand supported these measures and maintained that it had already been following such an approach.
Asked about Cambodia’s continued criticism of Thailand in international forums, including remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during the period of the Commission’s meeting, Sihasak said the atmosphere for negotiations depended on Cambodia’s willingness to honour the discussions.
He added that both sides had repeatedly discussed the importance of avoiding the use of international platforms to attack one another.
The Cambodian ministry specifically highlighted the recognition of both parties’ right to defend their legitimate interests and correct misinformation or disinformation through public statements.
While the two accounts placed different emphasis on public communication, neither indicated that the agreed measures prohibited either country from making statements necessary to protect its lawful rights.
The full text of the confidence-building measures was not included in the Cambodian statement or the Thai report.
Sihasak noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which facilitates the conciliation process, was distinct from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), although both institutions are based at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
He clarified that the conciliation proceedings were not a binding judicial process but were intended to help the parties seek an equitable resolution consistent with international law.
Under UNCLOS, conciliation is a dispute settlement mechanism through which an independent commission examines the issues and assists parties in seeking an agreed solution.
Unlike binding adjudication or arbitration, the Commission’s recommendations do not themselves constitute a compulsory judicial ruling.
Cambodia initiated the conciliation process in June 2026, following its accession to UNCLOS in March.
The maritime conciliation process is separate from the bilateral Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which deals with land boundary demarcation issues.
The Cambodian government has maintained that land boundary issues should be addressed through existing bilateral mechanisms, while maritime boundary disputes should be pursued through the applicable UNCLOS procedures.
The Cambodian foreign ministry expressed appreciation to the commission and the PCA for facilitating constructive discussions and helping the two countries reach agreement on confidence-building measures.
The commission is scheduled to hold its third meeting with Cambodia and Thailand from November 24 to 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Cambodian ministry added that the commission would issue its own official press release detailing the outcomes of the second meeting in due course.