Cambodia’s foreign minister has called for Thailand to implement the confidence-building measures recommended by the UNCLOS conciliation commission, particularly the restoration of diplomatic representation.
At present, the neighbouring Kingdom’s respective embassies remain downgraded to the second-secretary level.
Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, noted that diplomacy and dialogue are essential to resolving disputes peacefully rather than through military confrontation.
He appeared in an interview on the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) on October 20, following the second meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand Conciliation Commission under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), held from October 14 to 18 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Sokhonn highlighted that restoring diplomatic representation was among the confidence-building measures discussed during the maritime conciliation proceedings.
“Diplomatic relations help maintain peaceful relations between our two countries and can help resolve disputes peacefully,” he noted.
According to Sokhonn, restoring diplomatic representation is not a new commitment. Cambodia and Thailand had previously agreed to return their deputy chiefs of mission to their respective embassies, but implementation had been delayed by recurring tensions.
He recalled that the two countries reached an agreement on the matter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2025, and that the prime ministers of both nations reaffirmed the commitment in May 2026.
The two sides subsequently exchanged diplomatic notes concerning the return of the diplomatic officials, but the agreement has yet to be implemented.
Sokhonn expressed his hopes that Thailand would demonstrate its stated commitment to diplomacy and dialogue by putting previously agreed measures into practice.
“I hope that, since Thailand has stated that it attaches importance to diplomacy and dialogue, it will put this into practice by implementing our agreement,” he said.
Tensions remain high over shared land and maritime boundaries.
Sokhonn explained that although the two disputes are governed by separate legal frameworks and dispute-resolution mechanisms, tensions along the land border could affect the atmosphere surrounding maritime negotiations.
He noted that Cambodia had explained to the Conciliation Commission that land and maritime boundary issues should not be made conditional upon one another, noting that the two countries had addressed them through separate legal frameworks and mechanisms for approximately 25 years.
“We have also agreed to establish a hotline, a direct communication line between the commanders of the two navies, to resolve any problems that may arise in the maritime areas,” Sokhonn added.
The broader package of confidence-building measures also includes refraining from threats or the use of force in maritime areas and maintaining constructive public communication.
Both countries recognised each other’s right to make public statements to defend their legitimate interests and correct misinformation, while avoiding actions that could undermine the conciliation process.
Sokhonn also emphasised the importance of implementing the December 27, 2025, ceasefire agreement and other bilateral commitments to strengthen mutual trust.
He reiterated Cambodia’s demand that more than 20,000 displaced civilians, who according to Cambodian authorities remain unable to return to their homes in border areas, be allowed to return safely.
The minister described the second conciliation meeting as “constructive” and said progress had been made, particularly on confidence-building measures and the presentation of both countries’ legal positions and supporting evidence to the commission.
However, no final agreement on maritime boundary delimitation has been reached.
The third conciliation meeting is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 23 to 27, 2026, while a fourth is planned for The Hague in late January 2027.
Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully through diplomacy, negotiations and international law, emphasising that restoring diplomatic relations and building mutual confidence are essential to reducing tensions and achieving a lasting settlement between the two countries.